Martinsburg, WV — CASA of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP) proudly welcomed a new class of volunteer advocates during a swearing-in ceremony held at the Berkeley County Courthouse. The Honorable Judge Debra McLaughlin administered the oath, marking the beginning of each advocate’s journey to speak up for children involved in the abuse and neglect court system.
Newly sworn-in advocates include:
- Caroline Kruk, Jefferson County
- Teresa Gibbons, Berkeley County
- Angela Brown, Berkeley County
Following the ceremony, advocates, staff, and supporters gathered for a celebratory luncheon at Cafe Del Sol in Martinsburg to recognize this important milestone.
CASA-EP recruits, trains, and supports volunteer advocates in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties who meet regularly with their assigned children and engage with teachers, doctors, foster parents, and counselors to ensure each child’s unique needs are understood and met. Advocates report back to the judge to share updates, concerns, and recommendations to help ensure children’s safety, stability, and overall well-being.
Volunteer advocates not only provide crucial support to an overburdened child welfare system, but they also significantly improve outcomes for children in foster care. With a CASA volunteer, children are more likely to succeed in school, find a safe and permanent home, and are half as likely to re-enter foster care.
With the addition of this new class, CASA-EP now has 66 active volunteer advocates serving children across the Eastern Panhandle, continuing the organization’s mission to ensure every child who has experienced abuse or neglect has a dedicated advocate by their side.
The need for volunteer advocates continues to grow. CASA-EP’s next training class is anticipated to begin in late summer, with a tentative start in late August or early September. Community members who are interested in learning more about becoming a CASA volunteer are encouraged to visit mycasaep.org/volunteer to take the first step.
