CASA Library lauchnes to increase volunteer preparedness
鈥漈he more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you鈥檒l go.鈥�
The well-known quote from children鈥檚 author Dr. Seuss is one that Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Fayette County Executive Director Corie Berry has taken to heart. Berry said she believes reading helps one鈥檚 world grow, along with imagination and understanding.
It was that sense of better understanding Berry was aiming for when she launched the CASA library recently. The library鈥檚 goal is to aid CASA volunteers in gaining a deeper comprehension of the organization鈥檚 clients and the situations they may be facing.
CASA volunteers serve as representatives for children who are involved in court cases, often due to abuse or neglect. They observe the child and his or her situation, including interactions with biological, adoptive or foster families, and make recommendations to the court regarding the best interests of the child.
鈥淲e work with the entire family, so we really gain an understanding of who we鈥檙e working with,鈥� Berry said.
Berry said she started the library after CASA moved into its new location on West Main Street in Uniontown, above the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.
鈥淲e moved in January and began working on an idea for the library,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 being used as a training tool, we were able to utilize supporting funds through a United Way grant.鈥�
Berry said the library currently contains 118 books, 鈥渞anging from memoirs of child abuse to racially diverse books鈥� so volunteers can gain an understanding for the different demographics of Fayette County families.
鈥淚 created the library so our volunteers could gain a perspective from accredited writers,鈥� Berry said. 鈥淎ll of the books have been highly researched by both my volunteers, as well as myself, over the summer.鈥�
CASA Volunteer Matt Sparks sees value in the new library.
鈥淗aving access to a library with so many relevant resources is a tremendous help,鈥� said Sparks. 鈥淧art of our role is to continue growing our knowledge and understanding of complex topics. What Corie has created for us is so beneficial.鈥�
Berry said in addition to topics such as child abuse, the books touch on an array of other issues families may be dealing with, including drugs and alcohol and mental health conditions.
鈥淚 put a lot of work into it,鈥� Berry said, adding the library is a 鈥渟afe space鈥� where volunteers can not only read and gain knowledge, but also discuss what they have learned. 鈥淭hey can discuss the book and how it has affected them and their understanding of the people they work with.鈥�
While the CASA library has been very well received, it isn鈥檛 finished just yet.
鈥淭his is only the first stage of our library,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be launching a second stage (where) volunteers can take books out to the kids.鈥�
Berry said children will be able to check out the books, just as they do in any other library.
It鈥檚 one more thing CASA of Fayette County can do for its young clients. The main thing, Berry said, is just lending some consistency to a chaotic situation.
鈥淚 talk about, what if you were a kid, and you were told to put all of your stuff in garbage bags,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou were moved (to foster care), and then you were moved again. In the meantime, though, you鈥檝e gained a CASA advocate. And the next time you move that advocate comes with you. That鈥檚 the consistency we鈥檙e trying to achieve.鈥�
The new CASA library is just one more resource volunteers can use to support those kids through consistency and care.
For more information on Fayette County Court Appointed Special Advocates, visit www.casafayette.org.
Editor鈥檚 Note: Photos attached (CASA Executive Director Corie Berry; CASA Library)