3 New Volunteers Give Voice to 350+ Foster Kids in PA

Three people in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania just made a promise that could change a child's life forever.

Judge Royce Morris swore in three new Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) this week. These volunteers committed to 30 hours of training so they can represent children in the county's foster care system who've experienced abuse or neglect.

CASA volunteers become trusted advocates for kids going through one of the hardest times imaginable. They attend court hearings, talk with teachers and social workers, and most importantly, they listen to the children themselves.

"There's a lot they have to say, there's a lot that they need, and I'm hoping to be that person, that sounding board, that can be their voice if they feel that they are lost in the process," new volunteer Lisa Graham said.

For Karol Patton, another new volunteer, this moment represented turning compassion into action. "It's been on my heart and mind a long time to do something that helps the foster child community," she said. "It's good to do something rather than thinking 'Gee, I think I really should do something.'"

The Ripple Effect

Dauphin County now has 63 CASA volunteers serving more than 350 children in foster care. That means hundreds of kids have an adult who shows up consistently, someone outside the system who cares only about their wellbeing and future.

Each volunteer typically works with one child or sibling group at a time, building trust over months or years. They help judges make better decisions about permanent placements by providing detailed reports about what's truly best for each child.

The impact extends beyond individual cases. Studies show that children with CASA volunteers are more likely to find permanent homes and less likely to re-enter the system.

These three new volunteers join a growing network of everyday people choosing to make extraordinary differences in their community, one child at a time.