ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – The Johnny CASA 5K/5 Miler is returning to Rocky Mount this Saturday for a good cause. That’s because the proceeds go to the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center.
“I am championing that we get 270 [people] I think that would be another great year,” said Executive Officer Joyce Moran.
The Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center is an organization that helps kids affected by physical, sexual, and domestic violence and neglect.
The organization helps hundreds of families every year. Last year, it helped 470 kids and 381 caregivers.
The Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center offers various services and programs for children and caregivers. The organization interviews children referred to them by law enforcement, the school system or the Department of Social Services.
The group, based in Rocky Mount, serves Franklin, Patrick, Henry, and Pittsylvania Counties, as well as Martinsville, and has recently begun supporting Danville. At every jurisdiction, they work with the Commonwealth Attorney, the Department of Social Services, local law enforcement, school systems, probation and parole for adults, Juvenile Services, and probation for children.
Moran said it has 50 volunteers, but they could use your help.
“It’s been a really incredible opportunity to try and let children know that we see them, that they’re valuable. We want them to be educated. We want them to be productive, healthy citizens. That’s just an amazing thing to be part of.”
There are several ways to volunteer, including being a court-appointed special advocate.
These are trained volunteers who investigate reported child abuse cases, review police reports, interview parents or relatives, and examine school records. Then, the court-appointed special advocates report to the juvenile court, making recommendations and letting judges know their concerns. The judge then makes the final recommendation for the child.
Susan Gallagher has been volunteering with CASA for about eight years, and she’s helped 12 kids so far.
“These children need us desperately. They really do, and it’s not easy; it’s a very difficult job to do but it’s rewarding, and you know you made a difference. You sit in court, and you know that the child is now safe, and you had something to do with that,” said Gallagher.
Gallagher said you can work on a case for about a year. She also mentioned that the hardest part is not knowing the case’s outcome and not seeing the child again.
“Usually, by the time I’m off the case, the children are settled, either in the foster home or with grandparents or somewhere safe,” said Gallagher.
10 News just concluded its 30 Days of Hope coverage, and while the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center helps all children, it also helps those in foster care.
Moran said she also wants people to know the signs of child abuse as well.
“I think that there are some physical indicators, so parents should be aware that if they have any concerns, any marks, any unusual discharge, any kind of verbal statements about being hurt, that they should not investigate it, but they should be wise and engage with others like a pediatrician, if they have any questions, don’t have regrets, is what I would tell individuals,” said Moran.
Several resources can help as well.