text: glen-ridge-residents-become-advocates-for-children
  Glen Ridge residents become advocates for children
  Glen Ridge citizens, Kristen Carlberg and Margaret Sawa were among 12 people sworn in as advocates at Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of Essex County by Judge Stephen Bernstein at the Robert N. Wilentz Court Complex in Newark in March. They will represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in foster care.
  Photos courtesy of CASA for Children of Essex County, Inc.
  CASA volunteers visit with their assigned foster child and ensure he or she receives the needed resources and services they are entitled. Advocates also report their findings to the family court judge on a quarterly basis and make recommendations to the courts on the behalf of that child.
  "We're grateful to have committed volunteers who dedicate their time to ensuring that the children we serve get every opportunity to thrive while in foster care," Rakeem Mosey, volunteer recruiter said. "Being a CASA is one of the most challenging volunteer services but it's also one of the most rewarding. As an advocate, you're an investigator and problem solver. You really do make a difference."
  More than 2,000 of Essex County's children were placed into foster care because of abuse, neglect, and abandonment last year. Essex CASA served nearly 30 percent of those children in cases that were referred to CASA by the family court.
  The next advocate training session for residents of Essex County will begin in May. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a CASA volunteer, call Carol Costello at 973-622-4831.