At their July meeting, members of Sister ACTS (Actively Caring Through Service) welcomed a special guest speaker with a powerful message of advocacy and hope. Rosa Clark—retired educator, current CASA Board Member, and active CASA Advocate—shared how community members can get involved with CASA of the Eastern Panhandle and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children experiencing abuse and neglect.
Rosa spoke from both personal and professional experience, highlighting how CASA volunteers serve as a stabilizing presence for children navigating the trauma of foster care. She explained the difference between CASA advocates—who are trained and appointed by the court—and CASA mentors, who offer social-emotional support outside the legal system.
Currently, over 800 children in the Eastern Panhandle are in the foster care system. CASA-EP is able to serve 467 of them—but with only 76 active volunteers, the need for additional support is urgent. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and complete a comprehensive training program. With the right support, children in care can see improved academic performance, school attendance, and emotional stability.
Following Rosa’s presentation, Sister ACTS continued their tradition of supporting local children by launching their annual back-to-school donation drive for area elementary schools. The group will be collecting lice kits, hand wipes, toiletry products, socks, underwear, and sweatpants to donate to guidance counselors in both Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.
Learn more about becoming an advocate or a mentor here.
