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Catalyst Radio: CASA offering training for advocates of abused, neglected children

Catalyst Radio
Catalyst Radio
1/23/15 12:30pm
metro news

in collaboration with Linda Gellasch and WYCE Radio 88.1 FM

More than 1,000 children in Kent County are wards of the court due to abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers advocate for those children, although many more such volunteers are needed. Applications are now being accepted for the upcoming volunteer training that begins Feb. 9.

About Catalyst Radio

Catalyst Radio is the weekly public affairs radio program of Community Media Center, with producer and host Linda Gellasch. The program is a feature of WYCE and The Rapidian and includes interviews with organizations and people working on social change and community support, examines media and free speech issues, and takes a look at the behind-the-scenes of Rapidian reporting. You can catch it on air at noon every Friday on WYCE 88.1 FM or streaming on the Grand Rapids Community Media Center Website.

Past Catalyst Radio episodes are archived on The Rapidian.

/CASA of Kent County

Don't have time to listen now? Download the mp3 and listen at your leisure.

 

INTERVIEW

In this episode of Catalyst Radio we hear about some of the stark realities of children who are wards of the court system, largely due to abuse and neglect.

With hundreds of children currently removed from their homes, government systems often don’t have the personnel to have a consistent caseworker that addresses the needs of the child throughout the traumatic process.

The local nonprofit program CASA of Kent County trains volunteer advocates that work to fill that gap, and provide that consistent oversight for children that are wards of the court.

In studio to talk about the Court Appointed Special Advocate program is CASA of Kent County Executive Director Patty Sabin. Sabin will reveal some of the numbers for children in our area that are in the court system, and also preview an upcoming volunteer training opportunity beginning Feb. 9 for those interested in making a difference.

 

MUSIC

Michigan-made music featured in this edition of Catalyst Radio comes from Ben Scott-Brandt, with the new release entitled Vallidiane -- it’s the song “Follow Close.”

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