CASA honors volunteer child advocates

MORRISTOWN — Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Morris and Sussex Counties recently held an event to recognize and honor CASA volunteer advocates, who speak up for the best interest of children in foster care. The theme of the event, “Weaving Lives Together,” represents the way CASA volunteers, board members and staff all work together to weave together the broken lives of abused and neglected children.

During the event, which was held at Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, guests were invited to literally weave strands of hand-dyed yarn and ribbons onto a 200-year old spinning wheel.

Caring Capital teaching artist Monica Litvany found the wheel, made clay beads, then stitched the beads, shells and acorns onto the yarn and ribbon strands and guided CASA weavers as they added to the artwork.

More than 75 people came together to enjoy food, live music and fellowship that evening, including volunteers, CASA staff and Board members.

Lynn Specter, who has been a CASA volunteer for 20 years, was one of the advocates recognized for her commitment to helping foster children. One of CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties’ longest volunteers, she has advocated for nine children over the last two decades.

“We are all part of this fabric that is called humanity and I do feel that CASA helps to keep that fabric together by being a strong and supportive system for children in foster care. CASA absolutely helps to make sure that our children have the happiest endings possible," Specter said. "I have been fortunate through my work as a CASA to see so many happy endings. CASA has enriched my life in so many ways. I am blessed."

CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties trains volunteers from the community to speak up for vulnerable children in the court and child welfare systems, making sure they are safe and well-cared for, are receiving the services they need, and are placed in permanent, safe, nurturing homes as quickly as possible.