10-04-2025
3 new CASA volunteers sworn in to help advocate for children in Harrison County
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — After 30 hours of training, Harrison County's Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program has welcomed three more child advocates to help make a difference.
On Wednesday morning, Nicole DeSimone, Stephanie Stewart and Jill Steele were sworn in by Judge McCarthy, taking an oath to help protect and advocate for children who have been victims of abuse and neglect.
DeSimone, Stewart and Steele now join more than 30 other volunteers in Harrison County's CASA, though Executive Director Alisha Madia said that the organization could use many more to help avoid children and their families being placed on waitlists.
12 News spoke with Madia on what's to come for these new volunteers.
Child Watch Visitation Day held across multiple Marion County agencies
'Our goal is to not overwhelm, you know, any advocate. Most of our advocates work full time or have other commitments in their lives, so. It's about 10 hours a month, they're appointed to one child abuse and neglect case at a time that way they can really spend their time devoted to that child and family,' said Madia.
12 News also spoke with new volunteer Jill Steele on why she chose to get involved with CASA.
'There's a whole lot to know just about the preparation for representing a child and being an advocate for a child and giving them a voice. For me personally, I come out of education. I'm a retired principal and teacher, and so it's kind of familiar to me,' said Steele.
CASA offers four classes a year to train to become a volunteer. This group of graduates was the first to have two classes a week, which sped up their training process, which was typically eight weeks long before.
To learn more about how you can get involved with Harrison County's CASA, you can visit its website or call 304-623-5749.
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