In Teller County, 52 children found comfort and safety after receiving help from a volunteer with CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Thirty-six children were involved in CASA’s Dependency and Neglect Program while 16 were able to see their parents through the nonprofit organization’s Supervised Exchange and Parenting Time Program.

Kim Alvarado serves local children as CASA’s program manager in the office in Woodland Park.

CASA recently hosted a fundraising breakfast, Light of Hope Teller, at the Ute Pass Cultural Center that raised more than $35,000 for Teller County children.

To highlight the work of the volunteers, Angela Rose, CASA’s executive director, told the story of the twins, Dominic and Catelynn, who entered the foster care system as infants.

With the advocacy of their CASA volunteer, Robin Smith, the twins were adopted by a family in Colorado Springs and were able to maintain their connections with biological relatives. The story was riveting as a far-away second cousin of the family attempted to adopt the children and move them to another state. But the foster, now adoptive, parents prevailed in court, thanks to the CASA volunteer.

Rose introduced Smith as well as the family who got a standing ovation as they appeared on stage.

According to a release from CASA, the children were among 527 others in the Dependency and Neglect program of which 81% experienced two placement moves or less. One hundred percent of children served did not experience re-abuse or neglect when CASA was on the case.

“We also know that these children are often behind in school and an average of 93% of our CASA advocates are informed about the educational needs of the children they served, and 83% of those children received educational advocacy,” Rose said in an email. “This advocacy included communicating with teachers, recommending special education services, and recommending support outside of school.”

Children within the child welfare system are more likely to have physical and mental health concerns than their non-involved peers, Rose added.

There are about 800 kids in El Paso and Teller Counties who need a CASA volunteer each year due to abuse or neglect.

“These are children who are involved in the family court and child welfare systems due to being mistreated by people who are supposed to take care of them,” Rose said.

For information about volunteering or taking advantage of upcoming virtual or in-person orientations, check www.casappr.org.