Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw is pictured in this file photo.Hamilton County Juvenile Court celebrated the 30th anniversary of its involvement with a national program that trains volunteers to work with abused children embroiled in the legal process on Thursday evening.
Since the late Judge Dixie T. Smith applied for the Court Appointed Special Advocate program in 1985, volunteers have served neglected children for an average of 1,035 hours yearly, according to a press release from the county's local chapter. The program, which expanded from humble beginnings in a trailer behind the courthouse, has gone on to provide about $22,000 in services to Hamilton County, the press release says.
In CASA, volunteers are assigned to children, witness their home situations and establish an illuminating relationship as the case pushes through court.
"CASA volunteers are the lifeblood," said Juvenile Court Judge Rob Phily aw. "They are extremely effective and are able to bring immediate concerns to members of the court's Volunteer Services Department for review. My hope is that members of our community will want to engage with the Hamilton County Juvenile Court as a CASA volunteer."
Volunteers past and present gathered to celebrate at the AIM Center at 472 West M. L. King Blvd. at 5:30 p.m., according to the press release. As the program moves forward, anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should call Amy Pedigo, the court's local program director.