CASA Volunteer Published!

CASA Volunteer Rochelle Vigurs will be featured in the National CASA Associations’s upcoming publication, The Connection. Rochelle penned an article about her volunteer advocacy efforts on behalf of a little boy through the Hampshire-Franklin CASA program, operated by Friends of Children. Read the article.

Friends of Children Honors Volunteers and Child Advocates

Without the commitment and dedication of volunteers who provide hours upon hours in the service of improving lives for our region’s vulnerable children, Friends of Children could not begin to accomplish its work.

Maryann Ryan accepting her Child Advocacy award.

During the past year, volunteers in all programs donated thousands of hours mentoring youth aging out of foster care, providing critical best interest advocacy to abused and neglected children, fostering dignity to children in the child welfare system, and serving on the Board and other committees.

On June 14th, Friends of Children held its 6th annual Volunteer Recognition at the Garden House at Look Park.  As in previous years, Friends of Children recognized its scores of volunteers whose work ensures that our region’s most vulnerable children are not forgotten.  Also, the agency awarded its Child Advocate Awards to honor members of the community who have made significant contributions to children in our area.

Child advocacy awards were presented to:  Northampton Mayor Claire Higgins for her long history of working with children, Dr. Susan Samoriski, Executive Director of the Mary Lyon Foundation, under whose leadership provides support for quality education for children in nine Franklin Counties, and Maryann Ryan, Executive Director of People's Institute, for her guidance, support and love of children for over 16 years.

CASA Training:

Applications are being accepted for fall, winter and spring training sessions for new CASA volunteers. Interactive training covers topics including child abuse and neglect, substance abuse in families, juvenile justice and child protection serivce systems, and the role of best interest advocacy for abused and neglected children. Both classroom and independent training curricula are available. Contact the CASA Program Director at 413.586.0011 for details.

AAMP Training:

Applications are being accepted for volunteer adult mentors who are matched with foster youth who will age out of state care without a family. Trainings are held throughout the year for adults over the age of 21 who complete a screening process. For more information, contact the AAMP Volunteer Coordinator at 413.586.0011.