By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford and its philanthropic arm Hard Rock Heals presented $5,000 on Wednesday to an organization that advocates for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Winnebago County Court Appointed Special Advocates, often referred to as CASA, said the money will be used to help recruit more volunteers to meet the needs of children within the abuse and neglect court system.
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CASA serves about 350 children in Winnebago County, but there is a need for more than 800 children to have an advocate, according to James Hutson, executive director of Winnebago County CASA. “We need to multiply in size,” he said.
“One of the things that judges tell us is the first report they read is the CASA report because it personalizes a case and puts a name and a background with a case number,” Hutson said. “That’s where the voice comes in. That’s where the CASA volunteer can really talk about what’s in the best interest of that child for the court.”
Advocates are expected to stay with each child in a case until they are placed in a permanent home. For many children, a CASA volunteer is one of few constant adult presences in their lives. Hutson said deciding to volunteer requires commitment and is often a long consideration process.
“It’s usually a six to eight month process of thinking about it, talking with your family, thinking about how it impacts your job,” he said. “This will help us be in as many different places as we can throughout Winnebago County so that we can talk to people about what we do and see if there isn’t a way we can partner and get them to volunteer.”
Hard Rock Heals, which is part of Hard Rock International’s charitable foundation, is presenting similar grants to 50 organizations around the world totally $250,000.
The ceremonial $5,000 check was presented Wednesday outside the A Hard Rock Opening Act casino at 610 N. Bell School Road. Hard Rock is working to open its full, 180,000-square-foot casino and entertainment venue by Labor Day.
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Locally, Hard Rock donated more than $1 million combined to 96 community organizations and events in 2023.
“This grant supports Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s continued mission to support our community,” said Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford. “Hard Rock Rockford donated more than $1 million to area charities in 2023, and we will continue to do that in 2024.”
How to volunteer
Interested in becoming a court appointed special advocate in Winnebago County? Go HERE to learn more information and to apply.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas