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This time of year, it seems like everyone is talking about resolutions. The gym is filled with folks dedicated to their New Year physique. The produce section at the supermarket is more crowded than it was in December. People are vowing to read more books, learn a second language, take up running … they go on and on.

But how wonderful would it be if we resolved to come together to make a lasting change in our community?

Right now there are 440 Luzerne County children who have been placed in foster care because of abuse and neglect.

At CASA of Luzerne County, we are looking to add to our team of qualified, compassionate volunteer advocates who have made the commitment to stand up for these children and get them from a place of chaos and trauma to stability and permanency.

CASA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a court appointed special advocate to each of these children so they can leave the system and experience a safe, loving, permanent home as soon as possible.

Of those 440 children in the system, we are currently advocating for 60. Our number of CASA volunteers has grown significantly – from 18 in 2017 to 43 currently – but the need for a CASA is also ever-growing. These children should not have to face this season of their lives without an advocate by their side.

Research shows that a child with a CASA volunteer will spend less time in foster care, is less likely to return to foster care, and does better in school. A CASA is able to literally change the life of a child and, in turn, the future of their community.

With outcomes like that, it makes it easy to want to keep the resolution to make a difference.

And the CASA staff is here to help with that. We offer training, support, guidance, and hands-on help to all of our volunteers. Just like our advocates are standing by their child, we are committed to standing by our advocates.

Realistic resolutions lead to lasting change.

If you are interested in learning more about this resolution, we invite you to join us at one of our upcoming info sessions. They’re scheduled for Jan. 22, Feb. 4, and Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. at our office in Plains Township.

For information about those events and to learn more about CASA, please visit us at luzernecasa.org, follow us on Facebook, or call us directly at (570) 855-2247.

Our next training class begins on March 27, and our New Year’s goal is to fill that class with dedicated, impassioned adults who are willing to resolve to change lives and our community. Please consider joining us.

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John Aciukewicz

Guest Columnist

John Aciukewicz is executive director of CASA of Luzerne County.