CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Being a community volunteer feels almost like an obligation to Brian Harkavy. As a former lawyer, he has extra time on his hands. He worked with children and families when studying at Harvard Law School in the 1990s, so when he decided to volunteer with CASA of Laramie County, the organization’s mission and purpose were familiar to him.
Harkavy was one of six people to raise their right hand and swear an oath on Wednesday morning inside the Laramie County Government Complex, promising to faithfully perform the duties of a CASA advocate with fidelity and in accordance with the guidelines of CASA of Laramie County.
Those six people are now officially advocates with CASA of Laramie County, an organization comprised of staff and volunteers whose mission is to protect the rights of foster children and serve as a court figure on their behalf. Advocates with CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, strive to develop relationships with abused or neglected youth.
Advocates leave a long-lasting impact on the children and families they serve, according to Sarah Urbanek, executive director of CASA of Laramie County. She told Cap City News in June that children who work with CASA advocates are less likely to spend time in foster care compared to children without an advocate. Children represented by a CASA advocate are less likely to reenter the child welfare system, Urbanek added.
District Court Judge Robin Cooley swore in the six volunteers during a ceremony Wednesday. The judge then signed and awarded certificates to each volunteer, officially designating them as CASA advocates within the Laramie County court system. The district court judge then took photos with the advocates to commemorate their accomplishments.
The volunteers completed their training in June, which consisted of 24 hours of in-class sessions and eight hours of outside homework. Katie Valencia said she thought CASA provided a great opportunity to get involved in the community. Ramona Ortiz has known about the organization for years but never had the time to become a volunteer until now.
Harkavy is a former lawyer who has moved around with his wife as she pursues her military career, he told Cap City News. He said he felt obligated to devote himself to helping others, and CASA provides that opportunity in spades.
“What better places are there than this?” Harkavy said.
The work resonates with Harkavy because he cares about helping kids and gets to help them when they’re most vulnerable. Advocates, he added, have the power to change the trajectory of a youth’s life.
“The fact that [CASA] exists, it’s special to all of us,” Harkavy said. His fellow volunteer graduates concurred.
The six new CASA advocates already have their cases picked out, according to Sarah Urbanek, executive director of CASA of Laramie County. Urbanek tries to pair volunteers with children based on their background and personal strengths. For instance, she matched a foster child with autism to Valencia due to her prior experience as a special education paraeducator.
With the introduction of six new volunteers, CASA of Laramie County now has 26 advocates serving 56 children, according to Jennifer Quinlivan, program coordinator with the organization. However, 31 children in foster care are still in great need of an advocate.
CASA of Laramie County is holding its next training orientation Sept. 23 at both noon and 5:30 p.m. Training sessions will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from Oct. 1- to Oct. 24.
To view the CASA advocate volunteer application, visit the organization’s website here. For additional questions, call CASA of Laramie County at 307-222-1902.
