Story Published:
Jul 16, 2010 at 1:05 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 16, 2010 at 1:05 PM CST
There is a good reason Tennessee is known as the “Volunteer State” and it has nothing to do with a football team. What is does have to do with is a group of people’s caring and concern for abused and neglected children that drives them to become Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers and an organization such as Tennessee Credit Union volunteering resources. CASA volunteers are judge appointed volunteers who assist in determining of the best possible outcome for an abused, neglected, or exploited child on a case by case basis. Despite the state’s attempts to help, children may become trapped in the court and child welfare maze spending their childhood moving from one temporary shelter to another. CASA volunteers become the voice of these children.
“The CASA program is one of the many programs here which proves people still care about others,” stated Phyllis Bennett, Executive Director of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency, (UCHRA) “and to have recently expanded into Cumberland County, shows the need for our area which we will strive to continue to meet.”
After a meeting of the Putnam County Retired Teachers Association where Judy Greenwood, Program Manager for CASA had spoken, Linda Brookins, Tennessee Credit Union Branch Manager found a way to help the Putnam County CASA volunteers. Ms. Brookins contacted her supervisors and received approval to purchase and donate gas cards to the program’s volunteer advocates. These advocates drive hundreds of miles in the process of researching backgrounds; visiting homes, schools, teachers, physicians; and being present for court cases. Last year, volunteers logged 3500 miles, all paid for from their own pocket. One reason is more and more children being placed in out-of-county homes.
The Tennessee Credit Union is located at 1281 S. Walnut (behind Olive Garden) in Cookeville.
If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, call the Tennessee Career Center at Cookeville at 931-520-8733 and ask for Judy Greenwood or Jane Nellis.
This project is funded under an agreement with the TN COMMISSION ON CHILDEN AND YOUTH.
