Sara Walsh, Real Living HER

Sara Walsh serves as an advocate for children through Franklin County's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program. CASA is a non-profit organization that recruits, screens, and trains community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in court proceedings.

In her role as a special advocate, Sara provides a judge or magistrate with a carefully researched background of the child assigned to her to help the court make a sound decision about the child's future. And, based on the investigation, CASA volunteers make recommendations on placement (it is in a child's best interest to stay with the parents or a family member; be placed in foster care; be freed for permanent adoption or some other appropriate option) and, most importantly, monitors the case until it is resolved.

Sara says, "I found CASA of Franklin County to be a very worthy association. The staff and volunteers truly care for the children of Franklin County who need an extra watchful eye and representation in court. These children are our future."

Anyone interested in getting more information about CASA or becoming a special advocate volunteer should contact Marilyn Berlekamp, MBerlekamp@casacolumbus.org, Executive Director of CASA of Franklin County, 614-462-2461.