Since joining the YWCA staff in March, Susan Harrison has seen countless victims of child abuse and neglect lost in the shuffle of court cases. As director of the YWCA Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children Program (CASA), Harrison hopes she can help more needy children find safe, permanent homes.
Any time a child is removed from a home under allegations of abuse or neglect, the judge presiding over the case appoints a CASA volunteer to assess the situation and help decide what course of action would be best for the child.
CASA volunteers continue to serve as advocates for children until they are placed in a stable, nurturing environment. Last year YWCA CASA volunteers helped 55 children in Ohio and Marshall Counties, but the need for assistance is much greater.
To help raise awareness about CASA, the Moundsville Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a YWCA CASA tailgate fundraiser on Saturday at the Moundsville Volunteer Fire Department, 1228 First St. Residents of Marshall and Ohio counties are invited to join lawyers, social workers, judges and other professionals in learning about CASA and watching as the West Virginia University Mountaineers take on the Louisville Cardinals. The game begins at noon, and doors at the fire hall open at 10:30 a.m.
There is an entry fee. Besides watching the game, attendees can participate in raffles, door prizes and a corn bag toss tournament. The entry fee includes popular tailgating food and beverages.
For more information, call the YWCA at 304-232-0511 and ask for Susan Harrison.