SOWEGA CASA, Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization with a mission to recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in the Southwestern (Georgia) Judicial Circuit. The purpose of the organization is to help deprived children find safety and permanency as quickly as possible. 

Our Board of Directors

David Garrison, Chair 

Theresa Heffernan, Vice Chair

Elaine Nealy, Secretary

Cara Lea Fowler, Treasurer

Faye Frazier, Immediate Past Chair

Karan Allbritton

John Greene

Plez Hardin

Oneida Ingram

Martha Latimore

Jolie Ledger 

Gera Nelson

Lynda Lee Purvis

Michelle Willis

Georgia CASA is a nonprofit organization which establishes and supports programs across the state. Currently, 47 CASA programs exist in Georgia that are affiliates of Georgia CASA and members of National CASA.

Who We Are

Brad Ray is the executive director of the SOWEGA CASA program located in Americus, GA. A graduate of Florida State University, Brad’s diverse professional background includes being a former: capital bureau legislative reporter; owner of a public relations and advertising firm; co-owner of college newspapers, and political consultant.

In addition to his activities in the professional arena, Brad has also been very active in non-profit organizations. He’s the past president of the Greater Tallahassee Advertising Federation, and Big Bend Cares, (a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive support and education for those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS). He’s also volunteered for, or served on the boards of March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network, Big Bend Hospice, Literacy Volunteers of America and Guardian Ad Litem. He’s currently the chair of the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board of directors for the Sumter-Americus Arts Council and the former director of South Central CASA (located in the Cordele Judicial Circuit). He began volunteering for the CASA program in the early 1990s. And he is a 2007 recipient of The President’s Call to Service Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the White House for volunteer service.

Deborah Banse is our volunteer coordinator. Deb has been an attorney licensed in Vermont and the District of Columbia since 1984, and managing partner in her own firm since 1989. As an attorney in Vermont , her practice was concentrated in family law, where she was instrumental in developing and establishing the Children’s Panel, a program which, as part of an experimental family law program, is designed to give parents access to mental health professionals to help with plans for parental responsibilities during parentage and divorce actions. This program is now used statewide by many of the Family Courts. Deb also acted as a Visitation Master for the Family Court, establishing, on a case by case basis, parent-child contact and protocols to protect the children when these rights and responsibilities were disputed. She has also been appointed as an attorney GAL for the Family Courts in numerous cases for the past 15 years. In addition, she was appointed by the Vermont Supreme Court and acted for two terms as Chair of the Vermont Professional Conduct Board which, under the auspices of the Supreme Court, acts as a trier of fact and recommends sanctions for ethical misconduct by attorneys licensed in the state.

In addition to her legal practice and her involvement with the Family Court, Deb has also been active in numerous non-profit and volunteer organizations, as Past President of Manchester & the Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Business & Professional Women, and several Newcomers’ Clubs, and an officer of  Manchester Foundation, a 501©(3) corporation.

As Volunteer Coordinator of the SOWEGA CASA, Deb, in collaboration with the executive director, is responsible for volunteer management activities, including recruiting, screening, training, supervising and assigning cases to CASA volunteers, and ensuring the completion of family/child assessments and child victim advocacy. She will review court reports and orders, attend court hearings and work with service providers, and assist with home visits.