CASA/GAL programs post billboards, celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month

Local CASA/GAL programs around Montana will recognize Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month with special ceremonies and events in late March and early April.

Nearly 20 billboards featuring children and CASA have gone up around the state of Montana. The Montana CASA/GAL program has the first Native American billboards in the country.

About 212 CASA/GAL volunteers throughout our state represent and protect nearly 700 children in 39 counties. But there are children waiting for help that we can only provide if we can recruit additional volunteers. More than 1,900 children were placed under the protection of the district courts in Montana in 2003 because of either violence or neglect. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers are trained and appointed by local judges to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children.

These advocates review records, gather information and talk to everyone involved in the case - parents, teachers, foster parents, therapists, and of course, the child. From this information, they present recommendations to the judge as to what is best for the child. CASA volunteers believe that children deserve every chance to grow up in a safe nurturing home.

Around the state, local CASA/GAL programs are sponsoring many events. A Light of Hope fundraising and volunteer recognition banquet is planned for March 25 in Missoula at the Holiday Parkside Hotel. A similar banquet and fundraiser is planned for March 26 in Hamilton for Bitterroot CASA.

CASA for Kids, Flathead County's Court Appointed Special Advocates, will spearhead the Light of Hope Ceremony and Volunteer Appreciation at the Flathead County Justice Center, 3rd Floor Lobby at 7:30 a.m. April 1, celebrating hope for the children and honoring volunteers. Coffee and light pastries will be served.

In Helena, CASA - Advocates for Kids will sponsor "Give the Light of Hope to a Child" Tuesday, April 13 in Judge Thomas Honzel's courtroom at the County Court House at 5 p.m. A Walk for CASA will follow on Saturday, April 17.

In Miles City, a Light of Hope event is planned for April 13 at 7 a.m. on the District Court house steps. In Colstrip, the satellite office for Eastern Montana CASA will host a wine and cheese tasting party with an auction April 17. The wine and cheese tastings start at 5 p.m. with the auction at 6 p.m.

A candlelight event is planned for 7 p.m. April 20 in Billings at the First Congregational UCC Church steps at 310 N. 27th St. Volunteers will light candles of hope for 397 abused and neglected children in foster care in Yellowstone County in support child abuse prevention. The Family Support Network, Family Tree Center, the Department of Health and Human Services, Yellowstone CASA and First Congregational Church are sponsoring the event.

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