12 new CASA volunteers sworn in
May 8—WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Rogers Friday thanked 12 new Court Appointed Special Advocates for their service that is about to begin.
The 12 volunteers were sworn in by Judge Rogers during a virtual ceremony for CASA of Luzerne County, a non-profit child advocacy organization.
"You are about to embark on a journey, walking along the road, offering support for children in this program," Rogers said. "I will offer a word of advice — what brought you to this road, will keep you here on this journey."
Rogers again thanked the new advocates for the work they will do on behalf of the children served by CASA.
Rogers swore in each advocate separately.
"Thank you for offering your time and, most importantly, your hearts," she said.
John Aciukewicz, CASA executive director, said CASA's core mission is to recruit, train, and support volunteers from the community who are appointed by a judge to one case and one child or sibling group that has suffered abuse or neglect in an effort to ensure that child can experience a safe and permanent home.
"There are approximately 900 local programs with 80,000 volunteer advocates throughout the country," Aciukewicz said. "We conduct training for new advocates each spring and fall utilizing a curriculum designed by National CASA."
Aciukewicz said the advocates must complete 30 hours of "pre-service" training before they can be appointed to a case to serve a child.
He said the curriculum is designed to give volunteers a solid base of knowledge and skills before they undertake their volunteer work covering topics such as, the CASA volunteer role, the well-being of the child, understanding child trauma, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, educational advocacy, older youth, and LGBTQ youth.
Currently, Aciukewicz said there are 528 Luzerne County children in foster care.
"We have 45 advocates serving 70 of those children," he said. "With the addition of 12 new advocates we will now have 57 advocates and expect to provide an additional 12-20 children with a court appointed special advocate or CASA. Our next training class is scheduled to begin on Sept. 27."
More information about the CASA program can be found on the website at: www.luzernecasa.org.
Aciukewicz then quoted a famous philosopher — New York Yankee Hall of Famer Yogi Berra:
"Yogi once said 'when you come to the fork in the road, take it. What did Yogi mean by that?" Aciukewicz said. " What he may have meant is that when things become difficult, or you're uncertain of the path ahead, don't stop — continue on. Remember what brought you here today — to make a difference in a child's life."
The 12 new CASA advocates are:
Susan Ackerman, White Haven, experience working with people with disabilities
Kathleen Bednarek, Dallas, grants coordinator
Diana Bixby, Digmans Ferry, educational background
Marza Cyphert, Mountain Top, office manager
Elizabeth Desiderio, Plymouth, retired family educator at Headstart
Jessica Figueroa, Drums, operation clerk
Kelsie Kelly, Hunlock Creek, food/customer service
Rose Kelly, Hazleton, experienced child psychologist
Summer McLaughlin, Wilkes Barre, visual merchandiser-customer service
DeEdra Raper, Nanticoke, senior receptionist, intake worker
Stanley Swaintek, White Haven, experience working with blind or visually impaired-bureau director
Logan Yeakel, Moscow, behavioral therapist, working with children with autism
