ALBANY, Ore. — The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning has donated $2,500 to Linn County Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc., to help the organization recruit and train court-appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children. The foundation is the charitable arm of Pacific Power.

There are currently 25 volunteers serving as trained court-appointed volunteers for Linn County CASA, Inc. They investigate and monitor cases concerning abused and/or neglected children in the foster care system. Given that there were 571 child victims in Linn County in 2005, the organization is seeking approximately 80 volunteers to handle the current needs of the county.

“Only a third of the new dependency petitions filed annually with the juvenile court in Linn County are appointed a special advocate due to the shortage of trained volunteers,” said Micki Steele, executive director of Linn County CASA, Inc. “Our volunteer advocates are mandated by law and utilized by the juvenile court to be an independent, objective voice for the best interests of each child.”

Steele said that the volunteer advocates do their best to assure that each child receives the needed support and services while waiting for the system to provide them a safe and permanent home. “We are grateful for the financial support of the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning in our mission to recruit and train volunteer advocates for children,” she said.

“These funds are going toward a program that’s critical to improving the well-being of children in Linn County,” said Doris Johnston, regional community manager for Pacific Power. “We believe we have a stake in the communities we serve, and this is one way Pacific Power can help.”

For more information about becoming a volunteer court-appointed child advocate, please contact Linn County CASA, Inc. at 541-967-3807.

About the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning

The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning was created and incorporated as a corporate foundation in 1988 and serves as the major channel of philanthropy for PacifiCorp, Pacific Power and Utah Power. To apply for a grant and to review specific eligibility requirements, please go to www.pacificorpfoundation.org .

Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com