Sharon Ott and CASA

By: Abigail

Sharon Ott of CASA, Court Appointed Special Avocates, is a program for neglected or abused children started in 1994 by Wanda Hyatt. In this program, ordinary citizens who are interested in helping these kids fill out applications and attend a thirty hour training session, and if it’s a good fit, they are court appointed by the judge. She started it getting ready to retire but saw an ad and saw they needed a director with a medical background.

“And I really think it’s important to give these children a chance,” says Ott.

She enjoys people and seeing the good in the community, but the stories about the children are what really bring her down. She is very passionate about what she does; she loves children. But never did she think she would end up doing what she’s doing, but she continues working 20-30 hours a week.

“I’m learning all the time,” Ott says.

Other then CASA she has been involved in helping are community by being involved in several community programs such as Do it Local and Non Profit Gift Of Hope.