12/28 METRODOME MALE CHILD ADVOCATE RECRUITING EVENT

12/28 METRODOME MALE CHILD ADVOCATE RECRUITING EVENT WILL FEATURE VIKINGS ROOKIE EMMANUEL ARCENEAU, FORMER GOPHER FOOTBAL PLAYER BRANDON OWENS & FORMER GOPHER BASKETBALL PLAYER LAWRENCE MCKENZIE JR.

The Twin Cities CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children) is hosting their 4th Annual event to raise awareness of the great need for male advocates of color to represent youngsters while their parents work case plans in child protection due to concerns of abuse and neglect.

The event is Wednesday, December 28th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the Mall of America Field. 150 People have RSVP’d for this event. Registration is now closed. Current child advocates, social workers and the general public were invited. From 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM children will receive free autographed pictures and take photos with the athletes. They are then invited to toss the football on the field. At 7:00 PM food will be served while a 15 minute presentation about the CASA/volunteer Guardian ad Litem by 2 men currently in the program occurs. At 7:15 PM the prize giveaway begins, with the grand prize being two tickets to the New Year’s Day season ending Vikings/Bears game. To be eligible for this prize, men or women had to bring a prospective male child advocate.

In Hennepin County, where there are 230 volunteer GALs, only 40 are men. Ramsey County has similar numbers. Boys in child protection stay in the system longer, as well as often have interaction with Juvenile Detention and group homes. Having a male advocate of color would assist in more positive outcomes for these young men who often lack healthy role models. In the Twin Cities GALS serve 3,000 children a year, and most are of color. Program requirements include an application, interview, 40 hour training program and an 18 month commitment. Cases average 10 hours a month with court every 60-90 days.

All three athletes will be available for interviews during the event. Coverage of our ticket winners on January 1 at the game would be wonderful. For more information, contact Michelle K. Johnson (612) 750-2656 Work Cell; Michelle.Johnson@courts.state.mn.us