Get Involved
How can you make a difference?
Becoming a part of CASA means becoming a part of an organization dedicated to helping children within the community. You're invited to get involved!
Volunteer
We love volunteers. We see great things happen when over 400 people come around us every year to help.
- Academic Coach
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General Information
CASA volunteers are paired with and commit to coaching, mentoring and tutoring at least one elementary child from the greater Holland area for an entire semester at a time. CASA volunteers commit to attending two sessions each week, each session lasting two hours, for a total of four hours per week beginning early October through early December for the fall and early February to late April in the Spring. CASA is not in session when Holland Public Schools cancels classes or when Hope College is on break.
Dates, Times, and Location
CASA consists of two groups:- Orange Group: Monday and Wednesday
Times: Mondays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3–5 p.m. (note the half hour shift). - Blue Group: Tuesday and Thursday
Times: Both days from 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Program location: Dimnent Memorial Chapel Basement (Rooms 10, 11, 12 and 14)
CASA Library & Offices: Graves Hall Basement (Rooms 036, 037 and 040)
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
- Application
- Orientation & Training
There are two days of training, all of which count as part of volunteer hours if you are fulfilling a class requirement. All applicants are expected to attend both days. Prior arrangements need to be made with the program coordinator/director if a volunteer will have a class schedule conflict with any of the training days.
- Training Day One
- Both Groups: TBD 3–5 p.m.
(part one of training is provided by the Children's Advocacy Center) - Location: TBD
- Both Groups: TBD 3–5 p.m.
- Training Day Two
- Orange Group (Monday/Wednesday): Wednesday, October 9, 3–4:30 p.m.
- Blue Group (Tuesday/Thursday): Thursday October 10, 3–4:30 p.m.
- Location: Dimnent Memorial Chapel Basement, Room 11
- Training Day One
- Attendance: Coaches/volunteers are expected to attend all sessions the entire semester. Any schedule conflicts need to be discussed with program coordinator. Program coordinator must be notified of any absences due to sickness/illness or family emergencies as soon as possible so we can make arrangements for children.
Questions? Please email CASA at casa@hope.edu
CASA Office: Graves Hall Basement, Room 040
- Orange Group: Monday and Wednesday
- Organize Special Activities and Events
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Interact with students
What are the meaningful, interactive opportunities for elementary school students?
These can take the form of:
- Wellness activities
- Science projects
- Holiday parties
- Arts and crafts
- Sometimes just plain, simple games are a great addition to our sessions
Please contact us at casa@hope.edu if you or your group would like to plan one of these opportunities.
Work behind the scenes
For those who like to work behind the scenes, events can take the form of:
- Helping to equip our students with books, homework supplies or backpacks
- Adding to our enrichment supplies with educational games and materials
- Benefit fundraisers that boost the services we offer
- Family events that build relationships and celebrate our students’ accomplishments
- Volunteer at Summer CASA
Become a Donor
“CASA is great because we get to read and play games! Every Tuesday and Thursday I can't wait to come to CASA after school. My reading has improved a lot since I came to CASA.”
—Jactavius, 2nd grade
Want to help?
Make a donation online or call 616.395.7944.