Children First is holding its second annual gala fundraiser Friday evening. The event supports the nonprofit’s work with children in foster care. Susie Weller is Executive Director of Children First, which administers the Athens-Clarke Oconee CASA program. CASAs, or Court Appointed Special Advocates assist children in foster care. There are over 300 children in foster care locally, many do not have an advocate.
Weller says the situation is slowly improving as a result of the addition of new employees at the Department of Family and Children Services, but many local foster children are often placed in other areas of the state.
Weller says the organization is always in need of CASA volunteers, but there are also opportunities to serve on the board, or make financial contributions. The gala is 6 pm Friday evening at the State Botanical Garden.
