Recent graduates of the Gasconade County CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocates) pictured with Judge Joseph Purschke (far left) include (in front, from left) Shelly Osburn of Hermann, Maria Whitworth of Washington, Tricia Higgins of Sullivan, and Nicole Risch of Washington; and, in back, Timothy Schumann and Philicia Meyer both of Union, Elizabeth Harbert of Owensville, Michelle Sieve of Union, and Tracey Gutierrez of New Haven. Not pictured was Nicholas Risch of Washington.  CASA volunteers are being sought in the Owensville area to help foster children navigate their way through Circuit Court proceedings as their “court appointed special advocate.”

CASA hosts an informational “coffee” from 7 to 9 a.m. at Simply Sweet on Tuesday, May 3, to talk about the program. There is also one in the Sullivan area on May 4, at Clark Street Cafe from 7 to 9 a.m., if you are interested in learning more about becoming a child’s advocate for the next class forming in June. For more on the program go to the website franklincountycasa.com