(1888PressRelease)
March 30, 2009 - The campaign will kick-off with its first annual baby shower. Special Hearts Boutique in partnership with DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services), CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), and MatriArk at Seabrook House will host the baby shower April 4, 2009 from 1:00–3:00 pm at Four Seasons Campground 158 Woodstown Daretown Road, Pilesgrove, N.J. 08098.
CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate. Concerned over making decisions about abused and neglected children's lives without sufficient information, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of these children in court. So successful was this Seattle program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates.
Established on July 1st, 2004, CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties hopes to serve the 1,000 children presently living in out-of-home placements (or foster care). In Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Counties, there are 20 CASA volunteers and CASA is currently providing voices in court for over 50 children in temporary care.
Special Hearts Boutique a community-based network that offers a myriad of support services designed to improve the lives of infants and toddlers that are placed into the foster care system. Special Hearts through trained volunteers advocate for the best interests of children who have been removed from their families. These children whom are often born addicted to crack cocaine and other drugs are supplied with clothes, food, and other special effects that are vital to their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Robbin Bell founder of Special Hearts says, “Every child's life deserves to be celebrated. We can all do something to improve the lives of children who have the odds stacked up against them at the time of birth! Our name is going to be AHEART (All Hearts Educating, Advocating, Restoring and Transforming).” Special Hearts Boutique is a one of many programs that will be introduced to help and support at risk children and their families!
Representatives from CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem counties, DYFS, and MatriArk at Seabrook House will be presenters at the baby shower. For more information on Special Hearts Boutique, please contact Robbin Bell at 609.312.8526.
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