Press Release
CASA program pairs regular people with children who need an advocate
Lancaster, Ky. (Aug. 19, 2025) – A training for new CASA volunteers in Garrard and Lincoln counties begins Sept. 9 at the Garrard Education Center, 324 W. Maple Ave. in Lancaster.
“Garrard and Lincoln counties need more CASA volunteers to help abused and neglected children in our local family court systems,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of the local CASA program. “CASA volunteers can change children’s lives with just a few hours a month. But right now, we only have enough volunteers for fewer than one out of every five kids.”
Each CASA volunteer is matched with a child who has suffered abuse or neglect. The volunteer visits the child each month, getting to know them and understanding what their life is like. They also talk to others in the child’s life and review records. Then, they provide the information they gather to the judge on the case, along with recommendations for ways to help the child.
“We’ve had CASA volunteers who have helped kids get medical attention when no one realized they needed it. We’ve had volunteers who have helped get children into educational programs that turn everything around for them academically,” Jamison said. “We’ve even had volunteers who saved children’s lives.”
After the initial training class, it takes around 5 to 10 hours a month to serve as a CASA volunteer. All volunteers must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks and complete an initial training class before being matched with a child. Each volunteer is asked to serve for a minimum of two years.
The training class for new volunteers in Garrard and Lincoln counties will have classes on Tuesday evenings and a pair of Saturdays. Here is the schedule:
- 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9
- 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16
- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 (lunch provided)
- 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23
- 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30
- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 (lunch provided)
- 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7
To join the training class, you can fill out a volunteer application at www.casaoflexington.org/apply.
“We’ve seen incredible growth in Garrard and Lincoln counties in recent years, to where dozens of children every year are benefitting from a CASA volunteer,” Jamison said. “But we still need more local people to become CASA volunteers and change the future for a child in need.”
