CASA invites local men to “Dudes & Brews” event

Dara Korn
·2 min read

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The “Dudes & Brews” event is taking place on Thursday, April 25, and men over the age of 21 with a passion for helping kids are invited to attend to learn about being a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer.

Men who respond to the invitation in advance will get a free drink and free appetizers as they learn how to become an advocate for a local boy navigating the child welfare and family court systems due to abuse or neglect.

RELATED STORY: CASA seeks men to volunteer to be positive role models

“We need to recruit more men. We know that there are about 800 kids in the Pikes Peak region in any given year that need a CASA,” said Angela Rose, Executive Director for CASA. “Half of the children that we serve are boys, and many times these boys don’t have great role models, and so we love to recruit men that can come in and show these boys how to be responsible, safe, reliable adults, and what that looks like for them. And that’s why we need the men.”

Those wishing to become a CASA can fill out an application. CASA will do a background check and an interview, and then those who complete the process can expect training from CASA on how to be an advocate. Volunteers sign up for a case, which brings a commitment of three to five hours a week and usually lasts 18 to 24 months.

Each child needs one consistent person to walk with them through the process of the court case, as many other parties in the case can change over time. CASA gives the children a consistent person to rely on.

“We get kids who are scared and afraid and don’t know what’s going on, to a really good place in the end, to a place where they are safe and loved, which sometimes is back with their biological parents,” said Rose.

Volunteers need to be at least 21 years old, have a passion for children, a somewhat flexible schedule, and time to commit to the mission, but people from all walks of life are welcome. CASA is not just recruiting men. They need every kind of volunteer, and if someone can’t make it for the “Dudes & Brews” event on the 25th, they regularly have volunteer information sessions, and potential volunteers can also go to their website to get more information.

The “Dudes & Brews” event will take place at the Carter Payne at 320 South Weber Street from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and those interested can RSVP at https://www.casappr.org/volunteer.

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