Published: May 30, 2008 03:01 pm      

New CASA director eager to serve

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON —With last year marking the 30th anniversary of the National Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association, and the Jefferson County CASA seeing the first trained advocates sworn in by Judge Terry Gamber, this year is marking the passing of a torch.

A new director, Dawn Brink, has been chosen to take over the reins of outgoing executive director Jeri Roberts. Brink brings 16 years experience of working with children with special needs, domestic violence and abuse.

“I’m hoping to grow the program to serve children 100 percent in Jefferson County,” Brink commented. “That means we’ll need 100 [percent] volunteers and funding to do that.”

Brink, who lives in Clinton County, is a former grant writer and development director for a domestic violence program in St. Louis. She said she’s eager to work for the Jefferson County community. “I’m glad to be back towards home and have wanted to do something in our community.”

Roberts, who will be moving to Montana, said she feels confident the CASA board of directors has chosen the right replacement. “I feel confident that Dawn is stepping in and will continue with the program as far as bringing in volunteers and keeping the community aware of the program. I think we’ve made a good choice in choosing her as executive director. She has the passion and drive needed for the program.”

According to Brink, 30 out of 1,000 Illinois children were abused in 2007. Currently the Jefferson County CASA program has 11 volunteers, but Brink hopes to bring in more volunteers this month. “We’re planning to have a class in July,” she added.

Trained CASA volunteers work as advocates for children involved in abuse and neglect cases. The volunteers gather information regarding a neglected or abused child and regularly report to the court on the status of that child.

The Jefferson County agency is one of more than 950 CASA agencies nationwide, 29 of which are in Illinois.

Anyone interested in CASA or in providing a donation may call Brink at 204-5453 or e-mail at jeffersoncocasa@yahoo.com.