JAMESTOWN – New York State President and Members of the Chautauqua Region of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) donated back packs for the children of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Chautauqua County (CASA).

CASA, provides a powerful voice for abused and neglected children. Today there are more than 226 children in the Chautauqua County foster care system, toddlers who have been removed from their families because of abuse, abandonment or worse; children who have lost their parents and often been separated from their brothers and sisters; young teens who have had to change homes and schools six or seven times in just a few years, because they are shuffled between different temporary living situations.

CASA – Chautauqua County trains and supports highly trained adult volunteers that advocate for children in the foster care system. They fight for their rights and needs until they are in safe, loving, permanent homes.

CASA volunteers speak for the child in the courtroom, representing the child’s best interests, and work to move the child as quickly and effectively as possible through the system and into a safe, permanent home.

NAIFA – Chautauqua supports CASA’s mission and belief that all children deserve to be safe, and treated with respect and dignity. All children have a right to a loving home where they can rebuild friendships and learn and grow. This isn’t just important; it is a fundamental obligation of society to protect the rights and needs of children during the most vulnerable time in their lives.

Founded in 1890 as The National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU), NAIFA is one of the nation’s oldest and largest associations representing the interests of insurance professionals from every Congressional district in the United States. NAIFA members assist consumers by focusing their practices on one or more of the following: life insurance and annuities, health insurance and employee benefits, multiline, and financial advising and investments. NAIFA’s mission is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members

For information about NAIFA – Chautauqua contact Mark R. Nelson at 483-1531.