Margo Hall has been through the often-difficult process of adopting in Los Angeles County. Privy to the trials involved in fostering and adopting, Hall brought her now 6-year-old daughter into her life when she was 16 months old and added a new daughter, now 5, last year. Hall’s adopted children were lucky in comparison to many children in the system, coming from situations that didn’t leave them emotionally or physically scarred.
But for many children in the dependency court system, that’s not the case.
That’s why Margo was so moved when a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) spoke with a group of her colleagues, detailing the impact volunteers have on the lives of society’s most at-risk and overlooked youth. Her own father had been a CASA volunteer in Tucson, AZ for several years and his work, like many others in the program, had changed lives and given hope for a future.
Today, Hall is a member of the Justice Jog committee that named CASA of Los Angeles as its sole beneficiary, a relationship that is going on three years now.
The Greater Los Angeles Association of Legal Administrators (GLA ALA) is partnering with CASA of Los Angeles for the 8th annual Justice Jog 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, Sept. 27 in Century City at Avenue of the Stars and Santa Monica Blvd. from 8:30 to 11 am.
59 teams participating, including 39 law firm teams.
Last year’s Justice Jog raised more than $86,000 for CASA, through a combination of online donations, registration fees, and corporate sponsorships. The event drew a record turnout with a total of 722 registered runners and walkers. Fifty-nine teams participated, including 39 law firm teams, one of which is sponsored by Hall’s employer.
Founded in 1978, CASA/LA is a nonprofit organization which advocates on behalf of abused and neglected children in the foster care system of Los Angeles County. Hosted by NBC4 Southern California Sports Anchor and Reporter Mario Solis, all proceeds from the event will benefit CASA/LA.
With as many as 30,000 children in L.A. foster care, CASA still needs volunteers and community support to help these children. Volunteers receive in-depth training in courtroom procedures and child advocacy, so no legal background is necessary. Their role is to advocate in the courtroom and beyond on behalf of children, assuring their safety and well-being. They often become involved with the child’s education, healthcare, mental health, and placement within a permanent home.
Runners, walkers, teams and volunteers can register at www.casala.org/justicejog.
For more information about CASA of Los Angeles, visit www.casala.org. For more information about the Greater Los Angeles Association of Legal Administrators, visit www.glaala.org.
