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Judge Wright administers historic
swearing in ceremony for Logan County CASA volunteers
[March 12, 2025]
Lincoln, IL – The first Court Appointed
Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers of Logan County were sworn in by
Judge Jonathan Wright of the 11th Judicial Circuit earlier today.
Melissa Smith and Warren Smith, of Atlanta IL, will be the first
volunteers to advocate for children in Logan County.
The CASA Swearing In Ceremony took place at the Logan County
Courthouse in Lincoln. Melissa and Warren took their oaths with
Judge Wright, which includes a promise to “protect and promote the
best interest” of the children they go on to serve.
CASA of McLean and Logan Counties announced that the program
expanded into Logan County earlier this year, and the organization
is celebrating its 30th anniversary of serving families in McLean
County. CASA is a nationwide organization dedicated to promoting and
protecting the best interests of children who have been abused or
neglected by providing well-trained volunteers to advocate for
children and their families through a trauma-focused lens until a
safe and permanent home is secured.
“This ceremony marks a significant milestone in our program’s
expansion, and our mission to advocate for children who have
experienced abuse and neglect,” said Mary Pat Frugo-Anderson,
Director of CASA of McLean and Logan Counties. “We look forward to
training more people like Melissa and Warren who are committed to
making an impact on children and families within our community” she
continued.
MORE ABOUT CASA – CASA of McLean and Logan Counties offers a
variety of in-person and online training modalities that give
volunteers a thorough educational and hands-on experiences before a
volunteer begins their case. Once trained, CASAs are sworn by the
court and serve on a volunteer basis; serving as an advocate
involves regularly meeting with the child, conducting interviews
with adults involved in a child’s life, drafting court reports on
the family’s progress, and creating recommendations that are in the
best interest of the child.
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Warren Smith and Melissa Smith were sworn in by Judge Jonathan Wright as Logan
County's first Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. Photo
provided by Paige Malloy
Serving as a CASA is a long-term
commitment to serving one child at a time, as CASAs are expected
to advocate for the child until a permanent home is located.
CONTACT – If you have questions or you are
interested in volunteering with CASA of McLean and Logan Counties,
please contact the Volunteer Recruiter/Trainer, Paige Malloy, at
309-434-5853 or email paige.malloy@mcleancountyil.gov. To apply to
be a CASA volunteer, please check out
our website.
[Text received from Paige Malloy]
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