RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Seventh Circuit Court Appointed Special Advocates program has welcomed its largest volunteer training class since early 2020. Thirteen new volunteers are now preparing to serve foster children in Pennington, Fall River and Custer counties.
The rise in volunteer interest comes as the organization approaches its 40 year anniversary. CASA leaders say it reflects strong community support for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of interest and commitment shown by this new class of advocates,” Executive Director Kehala Two Bulls said. “Fifteen new volunteers is a huge boost to our capacity, meaning we can reach more children who need a consistent and caring adult to speak up for their best interests in court. This class sets a fantastic benchmark for our program as we look toward four decades of service.”
The new class represents a wide range of ages and backgrounds. The youngest trainees are 23 years old and the oldest are 68 and 69. The group includes two people in their twenties, three in their thirties, three in their forties, two in their fifties and three in their sixties.
The class includes students, business owners, airmen, retirees, accountants and healthcare workers. About one third are men and two thirds are women.
Program leaders say the group closely matches the community it serves. Eighty four percent of the trainees are White and fifteen percent are Native American. Local demographics show seventy six percent White and ten percent Native American. CASA staff say this helps ensure culturally informed support for children throughout the court process.
CASA volunteers are trained to advocate for children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. They provide judges with researched recommendations to help make sure each child’s needs and voice are fully considered.
Community members interested in volunteering can contact Executive Director Kehala Two Bulls at 605 394 2203 or visit casaofrapidcity.org.
