The Claiborne, Bienville and Jackson Parish Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) held a special event on Monday, April 17, at the Arcadia Town Hall. This event was organized to bring a “Light of Hope” and raise awareness of child abuse and neglect.
CASA Community Coordinator Deanna Curtis welcomed those in attendance.
Arcadia Mayor O’Landis Millican signed a proclamation announcing April as the official Child Abuse Awareness Month for the Town of Arcadia.
A former foster child, Dustin Catess, read a poem as those in attendance held a chain. He said, “The chain represents children all over the state, those some have moved on. Still many others will wait for someone to decide quickly, by the flow of a pen, as to whether they will stay or go home once again. This chain stretches far and very wide. This chain knows no color, no religion, no preferences or pride. It just links up little children who have no place to hide and as the chain is assembled and hung into place, remember each link is the hope in every child’s face, the hope that someday there will be no need of a chain. Maybe their wishes just might some day come true, for God has sent them guardian angels through you.”
CASA Program Director Patricia Anderson-Alicea spoke briefly on current statistics for the state of Louisiana.
“It is our goal to continue to advocate for children in need of care. Our numbers have increased this year. Last year, we were at 27 and this year we are at 69 in the state of Louisiana. Remember, there are cases that are still pending. This number of 69 is not a total number of children who have been abused and neglected or have lost their lives in foster care or in their homes.”
CASA has been busy setting up pinwheel gardens across Claiborne, Bienville and Jackson Parish.
“The pinwheels became a national symbol for child abuse awareness,” said Anderson-Alicea.
CASA is a volunteer-powered network of committed people – from all walks of life – who believe that every child has the right to be treated with dignity, to be safe and to thrive in the embrace of a loving family.
According to recent national research, a child with a CASA volunteer is half as likely to re-enter the child welfare system and more likely to do well in school and perform academically and behaviorally. Children and youth assigned a CASA volunteer reported higher levels of hope, which has a proven link to numerous other positive outcomes and overall well-being.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please reach out to your local CASA office or visit their website vyjla.org.