CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties celebrated the swearing in of 10 new court-appointed special advocates on Oct. 30. CASA staff members, board members, volunteers, and community supporters gathered in the Imperial Blue Room of the Holiday Inn Lancaster as the Honorable Shawn P. McLaughlin swore in the new class of volunteers. The event was the culmination of more than 30 hours of training completed by each volunteer in order to assist children in Lancaster and Lebanon counties' foster care systems.

The new advocates are Yvonne Bernard of Lancaster, Kathleen Clark of Lancaster, Fiona Eagleson of Lancaster, Amanda Fletcher of Palmyra, Sheila Hallman of Columbia, Karen Madeira of Lancaster, Amanda Pudenz of Lancaster, Kari Ann Umholtz of Palmyra, Mikayla Wagaman of Lititz, and Charity Welch of Willow Street.

A court-appointed special advocate is a trained volunteer who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. The children whom volunteers advocate for have been abused and neglected and placed into the foster care system. CASA volunteers work to help ensure a safe and permanent home for the child as quickly as possible. The volunteer speaks with the child and others involved in the child's life, such as biological parents, foster parents, social workers, teachers, doctors, and therapists.

The recent additions represent the 46th class of advocates sworn in, in Lancaster County. These new advocates will join the 92 active volunteers currently advocating for 163 children in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. CASA hopes to eventually be able to provide a volunteer to every child in need.

Anyone who would like more information about CASA and what volunteer advocates do may attend a Becoming a CASA Virtual Information Session on Monday, Dec. 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. To learn more and register, visit http://www.casalancleb.org/volunteer or call 717- 286-1430.