Volunteer advocates help a foster child move through the system – assessing what’s best for the foster child’s future and making recommendations to the judge at court hearings.  The advocate meets with the foster child on a regular basis, and gathers information and reports from other individuals involved in the foster child’s case. Volunteer advocates must complete 33 hours of training and typically spend 10 to 15 hours each month on their assigned case.  Volunteer advocates must be 21 years or older, go through a background screening, and be willing to make an 18 month minimum volunteer commitment.  For more information, contact Shelley Thomas-Benke at 314.367.8373 x29.