Looking for a way to make the holidays more meaningful? Want to make a New Year’s resolution that truly makes a difference in someone’s life?

CASA Kane County will be holding general information meetings for individuals interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer for abused and neglected children. If you are at least 21 years old and want to learn more, please RSVP to Debra McQuaid at debm@casakanecounty.org to attend one of the meetings listed below:

• 11 a.m. to noon Mondays Dec. 1, 8 and 15, Jan. 5 and 12 at CASA Offices, Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third Street, Suite 460
• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Dec.  16, Jan. 6 and 20 at Graham’s 318, 318 S. Third St., Geneva
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, Jan. 7 and 14 at CASA Offices, Kane County Courthouse 100 S. Third Street, Suite 460
• 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursdays, Dec. 11 and 18, Jan. 8 and 15 at CASA Offices, Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third Street, Suite 460
• 11 a.m. to noon Fridays, Dec. 12 and 19, Jan. 9 and 16 at CASA Offices, Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third Street, Suite 460

CASA Kane County is also holding special recruitment meetings that are targeted to men interested in volunteering. These meetings will be held as follows:

• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec., at 17 Pal Joey’s, 31 N. River St., Batavia
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway St., Aurora
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan.  14, at Even Flow, 302 W. State St., Geneva
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin

Presently, only about 24 percent of CASA volunteers are men, but more than half of the organization’s caseload involves boys and young men in need of strong role models.

CASA volunteers must first complete 40 hours of training before being sworn in by the Juvenile Court Judge. All training is provided by CASA Kane County. Please invite your friends, neighbors and co-workers to attend any of these events.

CASA Kane County is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system. Last year, the organization’s 258 active CASA/GAL volunteers provided advocacy to 552 children throughout the Kane County area. To learn more, visit the organization’s website at www.casakanecounty.org.

SOURCE: CASA Kane County press release