Sixth-eight Mesa County youth in the foster system are currently without a court advocate, but many locals have the ability to change that — as soon as Saturday.

Court-appointed special advocates (CASA) are a proven benefit for foster youth, as those with an advocate are half as likely to re-enter foster care and less likely to struggle in school.

That resource isn’t guaranteed through the government, so nonprofits at the state or local level, like CASA of Mesa County, train and coordinate volunteers to provide the service.

According to CASA of Mesa County Interim Executive Director Melinda Leon, 41 Grand Valley residents currently volunteer with them. While each volunteer is a major boon, Leon said their workforce is notably smaller than it once was.

“Prior to (the COVID-19 pandemic),

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