LAKE COUNTY — The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mendocino and Lake counties program was awarded $5,000 by the Lake County Board of Supervisors in support of their advocacy for abused and neglected children.
CASA Executive Director Sheryn Hildebrand, along with Shelly Mascari of the Lake County Office of Education and Tom Jordan with First 5 Lake County, and CASA board members expressed gratitude during the presentation.
“These funds will be used to expand volunteer-based advocacy services for abused and neglected children in Lake County,” Hildebrand said. “Having a consistent person in each of these children”s lives can make all the difference in the world.”
District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington said, “We are proud to support the CASA volunteer program in our county and would like to encourage community members to step forward and serve our at-risk youth who are in need of crucial services and a voice of their own.”
CASA of Mendocino and Lake counties has provided advocacy for children since 1994 in Mendocino County and expanded into Lake County in 2010.
There are more than 300 open cases of abuse, neglect or delinquency in the two counties, and the need for advocates is great, according to Hildebrand.
CASA is accepting volunteer applications for its next training, which begins in January. For more information, contact Kimberly Smith at 463-6503 ext. 11 or ksmith@mendocinocasa.org.
