A sociology class raised $715 for the Coles County Court Appointed Special Advocate after their professor found that CASA was recently denied a grant.

Roger Cunningham, a sociology professor, said he wanted his students to donate to CASA because it benefits society as a whole.

CASA is an organization that gives voices to abused and neglected children in court. The money donated to CASA was then passed on to the Family Treatment Court, a program that helps parents struggling with substance abuse to recover and reunite with their children, Cunningham said.

After learning about this opportunity, Kylie Reif, a sophomore psychology major and member of the class, encouraged more than 30 of her sorority sisters of Sigma Sigma Sigma to donate. The sorority raised $187.

“It would be helping benefit the kids and it would be an overall benefit for all of the families,” said Allison Fenger, a junior marketing major.

Cunningham said he was impressed by the response from all his students who donated.

Susan Bulla, the executive of Coles County CASA, said Family Treatment Court (FTC) is a program that CASA works closely with and Judge Jim Glenn founded FTC in July of 2010. Seven families are currently participating in FTC.

Bulla said people in FTC tend to be more successful because they are monitored by weekly court and random urine screenings to make sure the person has been clean.

Each test costs $10 and the money raised from the class will purchase 71 tests. The program cannot continue if they do not have the money, Bulla said.

She said some children do not have stable parents or grandparents to care for them, the way her grandson does. By being involved in CASA she is able to help those children.

“I do this for all the nanas whose grandbabies are abused and neglected, ” Bulla said.

CASA made its debut in Charleston in 1994 when Barbara Brown, who served as a juror in a case, was unhappy with how the children were pushed to the side and no one spoke up for them, Bulla said.

CASA volunteers are assigned a child who they visit at least twice a month, monitor or request services such as a speech therapists, or observe the parents and child when they visit, among other things. Information is also taken from the child’s teachers or neighbors. All of the information then is compiled into a report that is filed twice a year for the judge or attorneys to read, Bulla said.

“CASA just report on the situation, they’re an extra set of eyes for the judge.” Bulla said.

Cunningham, a former police officer of 27 years, said he believe CASA/FTC is a better alternative then putting people who are addicted to substances in jail because it helps the person overcome their addiction.

It is not meant for abusers to avoid punishment. Instead abusers are given another route to regain control over their lives, Bryan Baker, Charleston Chief of Police, said.

Whether you become a volunteer or you donate a couple dollars Kristen Bertrand, the CASA advocate coordinator, said when you support CASA you are giving a child a chance to find a safe home to grow up in.

Cunningham said he believes by supporting organizations like this it makes society stronger because people are able to receive effective help. By helping people to conquer their addiction, it gives them and their children a better chance to live a happy and healthy life, he said.

Desiree Morris can be reached at [email protected]