SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwire) -- 06/05/09 -- This year alone, over half a million abused and neglected children will navigate the uncertain waters of the child welfare system -- many of which will have little to no say in their future.

But one by one, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are standing up to ensure that these children have the best possible chance at a bright future. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

Esteemed actor and national CASA spokesperson, Edward James Olmos recently worked with CASA on a campaign to help spread awareness about the organization and the need for volunteers. In the accompanying video, Olmos thanks CASA volunteers that commit as little as twelve hours a month to help children have a chance at a brighter future.

Last year alone, over 68,000 volunteers advocated for 240,000 children -- an impressive number, but just 1/3 of the children who pass through the system. To learn more on how you can join the fight and volunteer your time and efforts to helping our nation's foster children, visit www.nationalcasa.org.

To see the video go to : http://yourupdate.tv/socialresponsibility/national_casa.html

About National CASA

In 1977, 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, helping to ensure that they will live in a safe and loving environment. So successful was this Seattle program, that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA/GAL with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today, more than 950 CASA/GAL offices operate in 49 states, with more than 50,000 men and women serving as CASA/GAL volunteers.

Dssimon Video Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=997906

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