LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Lima residents put their brains to the test at trivia night.

If you would like to help change a child's story, you may consider becoming a child advocate. CASA of Allen and Putnam Counties is looking for volunteers to help children who had to be removed from their families because of the situation they are living in. Advocates would help the children in court proceedings get a better life and outcome than they are leaving.

Nine individuals have joined the ranks of dozens more to be “Court Appointed Special Advocates” to children that are finding themselves in the court system. Often the “CASA” volunteer is the only constant in the child’s life. The volunteers go thru weeks of training to understand their role in the court system and how they will represent the child. For many of the volunteers, this is something they have thought of doing for a while and are ready to serve and encourage others to step up to help these children.

A record number of children were assisted through the “Court Appointed Special Advocates” program but more children still need help. The number of “CASA” volunteers in Allen and Putnam counties has topped 100 and they served 350 children last year going through the court system with cases of abuse and neglect. While one of the larger “CASA” programs in the state more volunteers are needed as 100 children didn’t receive any assistance. To help in recruiting new volunteers organizers are tweaking the 35-hour training process for volunteers.

Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, are the backbone for many kids in the judicial process.