CASA Works in McMinnville will host a ribbon-cutting next week to spread awareness about their efforts to support abused children in Warren County.
CASA Works Executive Director Wanda Strayhorn said the organization has been in Warren County for two years. Strayhorn said the organization has volunteers who work with the court system to meet with abused children to see what their needs are and make recommendations to help put a child in the best environment possible. Strayhorn said she hopes the ribbon-cutting will not only spread awareness but also encourage people to lend a helping hand.
“We are looking for volunteers,” Strayhorn said. “We need volunteers. We are serving over a hundred children in Warren County, and there are not enough volunteers for that amount of children.”
Strayhorn said having more volunteers will help the organization grow and expand its capabilities. Strayhorn said child abuse happens more often in Warren County than most people think.
“It’s a small area, but you would not believe how many cases that CASA does not serve because the judge doesn’t feel at this time that they need CASA,” Strayhorn said. “It depends on the severity of the case, the needs, and what the judge feels like he needs some additional information. DCS is glad to work with us and I’m very sure there are many, many more children their that the abuse and neglect have not been reported.”
Strayhorn said volunteers go through intensive training before working with children. Strayhorn said people do not have to be experts in order to volunteer. Strayhorn said volunteering at CASA Works is a great way for people to help the Warren County community.
“The people that we usually, they say they are interested in volunteering, they can be retired teachers, retired anyone that’s looking for something to do to give back to the community,” Strayhorn said. “We also have people who work full-time, and they go through the training. If we have enough that work during the day, we can fix the training to where we have it at night. Whatever it takes to get the volunteers.”
CASA Works in McMinnville serves Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, and Warren County. The ribbon-cutting will begin at 11:30am next Thursday, at 111 West Court Square, Suite 4.