Connecticut Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is planning a benefit on Wednesday, April 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Yale Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, featuring the a capella group Shades of Yale.

To register for the event, visit www.connecticutcasa.org/performance-benefit/page.html.

CT CASA, running with a lean staff, empowers a statewide network of volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates to advance the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect—with the goal of trying to ensure these children can find a safe, permanent home to thrive. The CASA program model assumes one staff person for each 30 volunteers, on average serving 75 children in need. Working with professionals in the child welfare system, Connecticut CASA’s volunteers are supervised by staff who ensure high-quality advocacy and follow-through, including regular reporting to judges.

Lead sponsors for the benefit include Yale University and Claire’s Corner Copia. Other sponsors include Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, NewAlliance Foundation, and Better Rhodes. The Wine Thief is donating wine.

Connecticut CASA recently added members to its governing board, including Branford’s Linda Mayes, Gesell Professor and Director of the Yale Child Study Center, and Branford’s Merle Berke-Schlessel, former CEO of the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County and an attorney with prior roles in business and government.

For more information, please contact Josiah H. Brown, executive director, Connecticut CASA at info@ConnecticutCASA.org or 203-800-5661. Those who are interested in volunteering can email volunteer@ConnecticutCASA.org.