Notebook — Oct. 8

New volunteers: Eastern New Mexico has 10 new volunteers for CASA — court-appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children.

District Court Judge David Reeb swore in the volunteers on Tuesday, according to a news release from CASA.

The volunteers took an oath promising to advocate for the best interests of a child, the release said.

CASA volunteers meet with the children and interview people in the child’s life. They attend court hearings with the child and report to the judge.

“Our volunteers pledge to stay with each child until the case is closed, and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home,” said Anna Blanch Rabe, director of the CASA program, in the release.

“The advocate is often the only consistent adult presence in the child’s life.”

More than 140 children still need CASA volunteers.

If you’re interested: You must be at least 21, clear a background screening and successfully complete 30 hours of training.

The next training session is scheduled Oct. 19.

For information, contact Ginger Bishop, volunteer coordinator, at 575-769-2656 or [email protected]

— Notebook was compiled by staff writer Crystal Mondragon. Contact her at:

[email protected]