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Our featured volunteer station this month is CASA of the South Plains. CASA is the acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates and its mission is to provide volunteers to serve as independent voices in court for abused and neglected children in the South Plains area. CASA volunteers are trained and court appointed to investigate, monitor, report, and serve as advocates for the best interests of children who are in the court system primarily as a result of abuse and neglect. The CASA volunteer is there to help secure a permanent placement for the child in a safe and caring environment.

A Lubbock County Judge first appointed a CASA Volunteer to serve as an abused child's advocate in 1993. Since that time, more than 2600 children have been provided over 500 advocates. For the past three years, CASA volunteers have served the children in need as Guardians ad Litem. That's a fancy name for an official court role of looking out for the children's "best interests." 

CASA volunteers are ordinary people who care about kids. Volunteer advocates need to be patient, open-minded people who have good communication skills, a history of following through on commitments and a willingness to accept guidance. Only volunteers who have been fully screened, trained and sworn in as officers of the court may have contact with CASA children. A new training program will begin on June 14th and meet each Monday and Thursday during the day until July 1st. (A Saturdays and evenings course will be held in July.) The program is free to potential volunteers and features 30 hours of classroom training. After being trained, all volunteers are matched with a supervisor who is a member of the CASA staff. CASA Supervisors provide individual guidance, support and accompaniment. Volunteer hours will vary, and will generally range from 3-15 hours per month depending on the type of volunteer assignment you choose. Some of this time can be spent in evenings or on weekends, but there are court hearings, phone calls and meetings during working hours, too. The program will work with you to find an assignment that suits your availability and your volunteer goals. Join CASA and make a meaningful contribution to the life of a child who desperately needs your help.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: 

LUBBOCK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, 1313 Broadway, Suite 2, would love a few volunteers to help out in their office on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Receptionist volunteers need a pleasant telephone voice with the ability to transfer calls and/or take clear and concise messages. General copying, assembling board packets, organizing large mail outs, and assisting the staff by taking reservations and selling concert tickets may also be part of your duties, if desired. During the morning, you might also meet and greet visitors to the office. Parking is very accessible to the building. Come and be a part of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra! 

AUGUST HEALTH CARE, 4320 19th St., is looking for some caring volunteers who could help their Activity Director any weekday at 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. for about an hour and a half. You could come on the day(s) when it is most convenient to your schedule. The morning volunteers would help serve coffee and cake and socialize with some interesting older folks. During the afternoon segments, you could play games, do crafts, or call bingo for entertainment. You will never find people that will appreciate you more than the residents of a long-term care facility!

To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.

HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Bonne Phillips about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the enrollment form (requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!