Cars & Coffee for CASA expands in its second year

By Anne Eickstadt

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
The 4-H Flaming Monkeys offered complimentary coffee at the Cars & Coffee for CASA event while their mascot Monkey dances.

Editor

Held last year in the parking lot by Generations Chiropractic on the north side of Belvidere, Cars & Coffee for CASA moved to the parking lot of the Community Center Complex, 111 W. 1^st St., for this year’s event on Saturday, Aug. 25.

“We are hoping it will be big enough that we will need a more spacious location,” said Charlotte Meier of Boone County CASA. CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, are specially trained citizens appointed by the court to serve as guardian ad litems in cases alleging abuse, neglect, or dependency of a child.

“We are the voice of abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system,” she said. “We are currently serving 45 children with 22 advocates. We train volunteer advocates to represent these vulnerable kids. Our goal is to have every child we work with in a safe and happy home.”

“Our next training session begins in October. We’re excited. If anyone is interested and wants to learn to help endangered children, call CASA at 815-547-6599.”

Dr. Derek Prado, DC said, “I am on the CASA Board of Directors. I began this event [Cars & Coffee for CASA] last year. I wanted to…

For complete article, pick up the Aug. 30 Belvidere Republican.