Meeting Tuesday for anyone interested in adopting or helping foster children

A local organization that advocates for foster children will host an informational meeting Tuesday for those who are interested in helping the cause.

Voices for Children/CASA of Southeast Missouri Inc. will host the meeting at 6 p.m. at CrossRoads Fellowship, 4400 E. Jackson Blvd.

Nearly 20,000 children are in the custody of Missouri Children�s Division, and in the 32nd Circuit, 590 children were brought into its custody, according to a news release from Voices for Children.

Scott Lipke, associate circuit judge for Division IV, will discuss CASA�s role for children at the meeting, while Carrie Patrick of the Missouri Children�s Division will discuss the need for foster and adoptive parents within Cape Girardeau County.

�We want people to realize that they can still provide support and a voice for these kids, even if adoption isn�t an option,� said Eva Hillis, volunteer coordinator for Voices for Children/CASA of Southeast Missouri, in the release. �If you can�t adopt, foster. If you can�t foster, advocate. Kids in foster care need our voices; we want to show adults how to use them.�

At the meeting, community members will learn how they can contribute.

Informational meetings also are planned in Bollinger and Perry counties. The University of Missouri Extension Office in Marble Hill, Missouri, will host a meeting at 6 p.m. March 20 and a meeting at the Perry County courthouse will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 22.

For more information, call Hillis at (573) 225-9494.

Pertinent address:

4400 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, Mo.

302 Union St., Marble Hill, Mo.

15 W. Sainte Marie St., Perryville, Mo.