CASA in the Heart of Texas is creating an auxiliary group of volunteers called CASA Crusaders. The auxiliary group is being created because the CASA board of directors and staff know that not every single adult who cares can be a CASA, executive director Michelle Wells said. The Crusaders will help CASA with a number of tasks including awareness projects and helping the staff and board make connections with others who could possibly volunteer as advocates, serve on the board of directors or donate financially.

The mission of CASA in the Heart of Texas is to train and support quality volunteers who speak out for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court in an effort to find each child a safe, permanent, nurturing home. The number of children being removed from their homes and placed in care has been and is still outpacing the number of caring adults coming forward to be trained and put to work as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children.

Anyone who wants to be a CASA volunteer who wants to support CASA in other ways should contact CASA in the Heart of Texas by calling 643-2557. The next CASA 101: Information Session in Brownwood will be at 6 p.m. July 19 at the Family Services Center.