(Editor’s note: This story is a plea from the Court Appointed Special Advocates of McKean County for the public to remember children in need during the pandemic.)
SMETHPORT — The CASA of McKean County staff and volunteers continue to care about the well-being of McKean County children who are placed outside their homes and currently isolated in group homes, shelters, and other facilities during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Amid the crisis, our Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are continuing to make connections with vulnerable children and adolescents in safe ways such as phone contact, letters, and video chats. Contact with a CASA is especially important for children with a lack of family connections and limited resources. Our volunteers continue to work toward changing a child’s story during this quarantine.
We need our community’s continued support so that our volunteers can actively engage with their CASA kids.
Here are a few practical ways you can support CASA of McKean County and the vulnerable children and youth we serve:
Like and share our Facebook and Instagram posts @casamckean.
Donate your time, money, and resources. Tax-deductible donations can be made in any amount. Please make checks out to CASA of McKean County and mail to CASA of McKean County, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, Pennsylvania, 16749.
Start an online Facebook fundraiser for your birthday or other events.
Go through Amazon Smiles and choose CASA of McKean County as your charity when making purchases.
Yes, you can sign up to become a CASA volunteer while self-quarantined. Complete an application and sign up for our next training class. Applications can be accessed at https://pa-mckean.evintosolutions.com/VolunteerApplication/ or by emailing casa@mckeancountypa.org
There are many McKean County children in the system who need caring and compassionate individuals to speak for them. As a positive adult presence, CASA volunteers often provide a sense of normalcy to children in care.
We need volunteers more than ever. If you ever thought of volunteering for a worthy and rewarding cause, this is your opportunity. Through your generosity and support, CASA of McKean County can continue to speak for abused and neglected children.
