BOSTON CASA IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO ENSURE A SAFE AND PERMANENT HOME FOR COURT INVOLVED CHILDREN, WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE AND NEGLECT, IN SUFFOLK AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES. BOSTON CASA RECRUITS, TRAINS, AND SUPERVISES VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE APPOINTED BY JUDGES TO SERVE AS GUARDIANS AD LITEM (GALS) TO ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH MOST OFTEN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. VOLUNTEERS HAVE LEGAL STANDING AND ENSURE THAT THEIR CHILD OR SIBLING GROUP RECEIVE THE SERVICES THEY ARE ENTITLED TO. OUR VOLUNTEERS NOT ONLY ZEALOUSLY ADVOCATE FOR THESE VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND YOUTH, BUT ALSO SERVE AS A SAFE, CONSISTENT, AND POSITIVE PRESENCE DURING WHAT IS A VERY TRAUMATIC TIME IN THEIR LIVES. THROUGH OUR OLDER YOUTH ADVOCACY PROJECT, VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT YOUTH AGES 16 AND OLDER WHO WILL OR HAVE AGED OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. THEY PROVIDE THESE YOUTH WITH ONGOING RELATIONAL SUPPORT DURING THIS CRITICAL TIME AND ENSURE THAT THE YOUTH RECEIVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES IN ORDER TO B