The Uncatalogue raised more than $2,000 this past week, said Jill Olson, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).

The Uncatalogue is a brochure that offers goods donated from the community to be auctioned off in a silent auction. People who received the brochure had the chance to mail in bids for the items.

Two of the items donated were from NIU. One was an autographed football from this year’s team. The second was a dinner with football coach Joe Novak and his wife.

All the proceeds are used to carry out CASA’s mission of helping children who are in the juvenile court system because of abuse and neglect through no fault of their own, said Pat Cullen, case manager and advocate at the DeKalb county CASA.

CASA uses the money to fund training for volunteer advocates, daily operating expenses, court documents, reports for families and other costs associated with running a two-person office.

“Every little bit helps, obviously we would like to see it grow,” Cullen said. “I think it’s very successful and beneficial to the program.”

The DeKalb CASA is part of a national and state organization but receives no financial assistance. It is up to each CASA office to support itself.

CASA is involved with 89 children and 49 active advocates, Cullen said, and CASA is able to serve only half the children currently in the system because they don’t have enough funding or volunteers to help.

“We normally run two training classes a year, one in the spring, one in the fall. The only requirement is that you are a U.S. citizen over the age of 21 with no major criminal violations,” Cullen said.

Patricia David has been an advocate at the DeKalb CASA for the past three years. She initially got involved to support her husband, who was an advocate, and didn’t plan on taking a case of her own.

“I realized within the first hour of a 30-hour-plus training program that I wanted to be personally involved,” David said. “All you need is a commitment and good heart.”

Advocates meet with children who have been or are suspected of being abused. Abuse or neglect can range from physical abuse to parents who can’t or won’t provide heating or running water for their children. Advocates conduct interviews with friends, families, teachers or anyone who might know the child so the advocate can get a clear picture of the situation.

Advocates then report back to judges with the information they have gathered in the hopes of achieving the best possible outcome for the children.

To become an advocate or join the mailing list for the next Uncatalouge, call CASA at 895-2025 or e-mail [email protected].