by Jordann Lucero

Every year, hundreds of children are placed into the foster care system. CASA Oklahoma County is working hard to grow its volunteer-base so each of those children can have an advocate in their lives to help them through the tough time.

The executive director for CASA Oklahoma County, LeeAnn Limber sees the need every day to get more volunteers.

“We give a voice and caring adult to a child during one of the scariest times in their lives,” she said.

CASA stands for “court appointed special advocates.” Limber said they are a consistent figure in a child’s young life, helping after they’ve been taken from their homes.

“Despite what may have brought them in, whatever abuse and neglect from their biological families, they still love them and that is what they knew,” Limber said.

CASA volunteers help the kids through the court process, make sure their getting their education and their medical needs met, and helping with visitation between siblings or their parents.

“If a child does not have an advocate, it certainly can be that scary place and it can be a place where they get lost in that system,” Limber said.

Limber said there are more than 1900 children in the system every year in Oklahoma County. Right now, her organization has enough volunteers to help about 700 of them. That’s why it has gone through a year-long effort to raise awareness for the program.

The effort, the organization says, started last June with monthly open houses.

“We’re seeing more and more people come in,” Limber said.

At open house, community members meet volunteers, Limber and tour the CASA offices and a courtroom.

If you want to attend, you must check in at the west entrance with a valid state ID. CASA is located at the Oklahoma County Juvenile Center at 5905 North Classen Court, #302.

There’s an open house on May 30 and June 27. Both start at 6:00 pm.