Local Volunteer Judy Walters to be Honored at Washington State CASA Conference

The annual Washington State CASA Conference will be coming to Vancouver November 4th and 5th. Speakers include Ross Hunter who will provide an update on the newly formed State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Dr. Caprice Hollins who will speak on cultural competence and the work needed to effectively engage across cultures and dismantle institutional racism. Also at the conference, local volunteer Judy Walters will be awarded Washington State CASA of the Year. 

Judy has been a volunteer in the Clark County CASA Program of YWCA Clark County since February 2014. She is highly respected by many of the people she works with. In the nomination form submitted by CASA staff Tanisha Harris she shares, "Judy believes in understanding the whole child: educational, medical, therapeutic and family. Besides impeccable CASA reports, Judy has a warm demeanor, she is always upfront and honest with the parents, dutifully explains to service providers, teachers, foster parents, parents and most importantly the children that she is there to represent the best interests of the child." 

The Washington State CASA Conference will also offer 40 sessions to over 250 registrants including the opportunity to complete a certified training from the National Indian Child Welfare Association. 

The conference will kick off the first CASA shoe drive with a goal to collect 10,000 pairs of shoes that will then be displayed on the steps of the capital building in Olympia early next year. The intent is to visually represent the average number of children in foster care on any given day in Washington State. But, with only 4,000 volunteers working daily in the state, there's a clear need for more volunteers. 

The CASA Program of YWCA Clark County is always accepting volunteer applications. "The most rewarding thing about being a CASA is to see the kids at the end of the process, either reunited with parents or adopted." says Judy. If like Judy, you love children and community, and want to represent the best interests of children in foster care, please don't hesitate. Contact Katie at 360-906-9142, [email protected] or visit ywcaclarkcounty.org/casa.