CASA colors "Sweet Cases"

Cheyenne County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) are always looking for ways to make the transitions that occur in their line of work a little smoother.

Pairing up with non-profit organization Together We Rise (TWR), Cheyenne County CASA Director Rose Bowcut recently just that opportunity.

There are times when situations arise and children have to be removed from their homes, Bowcut said. Often times the children do not have a lot of time to collect their things or a bag to put them in, often using just a trash bag to carry everything.

That's where sweet cases comes in. Sweet cases are blue canvas duffel bags given to children during these transition period the children get to keep. Each sweet case contains a Teddy Bear, a fleece blanket, coloring book, crayons and a hygiene kit.

Sweet cases gives children a sense of identity, said Bowcut.

"Kids do not understand whats going on in these cases and often blame themselves," Bowcut said.

TWR is the creator of sweet cases. The organization, comprised of young adults and former foster youth, was founded in 2008 when its founders hit walls due to their age, while trying to help a nine-year old classmate.

"Together We Rise is an amazing organization thats helps youth in these situation, everything needed to fill and decorate the cases came from TRW," Bowcut said.

Putting the art supplies that TWR included with the cases to good use was Girl Scout Troop 10076. Its members joined Bowcut Thursday to decorate the blue duffel bags.

The girls will receive a community service patch for their help. But decorating the bags was something they would have done either way.

Troop Leader Erin Myer said "the girls where super passionate about this project when we to do this as a give back project."

Lily Bowcut was a volunteer who came to help her mother decorate and fill the cases.

"I like to help my mom and the kids can have a bags with teddy bears and fuzzy blankets inside," said Lily.

Bowcut said CASA volunteers are not on scene when the children are removed from a situation, so a few of the bags will be stored in the cars of officials who are.

CASA is comprised of volunteers who train to be advocates for children in court cases. Once a situation is deemed unfit for a child, an officer removes the child from his or her home and the Department of Health and Human Services steps in to place the child in foster care. If a foster home cannot be found, the child is placed in what is called kinship, where a close friend or family member takes temporary custody of the child. CASA volunteers are appointed to every child abuse and neglect case.

Cheyenne County CASA also has a new location, at 1108 10th Avenue. Bowcut said they opened their doors June 1, and she is excited to be in the new building that has a store front with a CASA logo on the window.

"The new location will gives us more visibility to the community," Bowcut said.