We here at Mesilla Valley CASA have just sworn in another cohort of volunteer advocates! We are very excited for our new advocates to join our organization to advocate for children living in foster care here in Dona Ana County.
Our new volunteer advocates completed a written application, criminal background and CPS checks, and an interview by our staff here to be able to move foward into our pre-service training. To become a CASA advocate, these volunteers completed 30 hours of pre-service training where we covered all aspects of child welfare, contributing factors to child abuse and neglect (poverty, mental health, substance abuse, lack of parenting skills, etc.).
After completing our training, our new advocates attended our swearing-in ceremony before the Children’s Court Judge, Judge Grace B. Duran. She gave a heartful speech about the impactful work that our Volunteer Advocates here at Mesilla Valley CASA do and the importance of our organization to our community. Our new volunteers took an Oath of Service, swearing to uphold the confidentiality of the cases that come into Children's Court.
To celebrate our new volunteer advocates and some very exciting anniversaries with our existing Volunteer Advocates, we had a luncheon. All the volunteers and staff got to connect and share words of encouragement and celebrate the community that we have built here.
If you are not a current volunteer and are interested in joining us here at Mesilla Valley CASA, we have confirmed training dates for 2024.
Our spring semester training schedule is:
Day 1: February 6, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Day 2: February 10, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Day 3: February 13, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Day 4: February 17, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Our Fall Semester Training Schedule is:
Day 1: August 6, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Day 2: August 10, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Day 3: August 13, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Day 4: August 17, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Complete the online form here or call 575-527-0035 for more information!