CASA of Chautauqua County staff and volunteers are pictured holding pinwheels during the 2023 pinwheel planting ceremony in Mayville. From left are Kelly Fiorella, fund development coordinator for CASA of Chautauqua County; Debbie Phelps, CASA volunteer; Mary Ann Zimmer, CASA volunteer; Louise Ortman, CASA volunteer; Julie Ortendahl, CASA volunteer, and Kathy Park, executive director of CASA of Chautauqua County.

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, CASA of Chautauqua is asking county residents to help support children who have been abused or neglected.

At any given time, there are nearly 90 children in foster care in Chautauqua County. Children come into the child welfare system through no fault of their own. Substance abuse and the socioeconomic environment is changing the demographic of children coming into care and placing a burden across the United States, including Chautauqua County. These issues impact a child’s emotional well-being, educational achievement, brain development and mental health, and later employment. Trends have shown that more foster youth are aging out of the foster care system without finding safe and permanent homes and the skills needed to succeed. The demands for advocacy for these children exponentially increase in an over-burdened and complex child welfare system.

CASA of Chautauqua County recruits, trains and supports volunteers who get to know children and the adults around them, and who advocate for the needs of those children in court and in the community.

Throughout the month of April, CASA of Chautauqua is calling on members of the community to help the program serve more of Chautauqua County’s most vulnerable children. The public is invited to join the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. Pinwheels for Prevention is a national awareness campaign created by Prevent Child Abuse America urging people to act to prevent childhood abuse and neglect by transforming awareness into action.

Look for the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign at area financial institutions, convenience stores, markets, restaurants, gas stations, liquor stores, libraries and more. Visit any participating business to purchase a pinwheel for $2 or a pinwheel card for $1. For a complete list of business participants visit ChautauquaCASA.com.

A child with a CASA volunteer spends 20 percent less time in foster care, on average, compared to a child without a CASA volunteer. Studies show children with a CASA volunteer receive more services that are critical to their well-being and are four times more likely to find a permanent home.

“CASA volunteers are a constant for the child in a time of chaos,” said Kathy Park, executive director of CASA of Chautauqua County. “A child may have multiple social workers, attorneys, therapists and foster placements throughout the life of the case but only one CASA volunteer, which can make all the difference for the child’s future.”

All monies raised from CASA’s Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign are used to fulfill CASA’s mission of supporting volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in Chautauqua County. If you would like to support the mission of CASA, a tax-deductible donation can be made by sending a check to CASA of Chautauqua Co., Inc. at 2 Academy Street, Suite 5, Mayville, NY 14757.