January 5, 2009                                                           

– Recognizing the need for trained and supervised volunteers to help with abused and neglected children, the Court Appointed Special Advocate program has scheduled a volunteer training program to begin January 20 in

Americus.

“CASAs are trained and supervised volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in and out of court,” said Board Chair Faye Frazier. “They bring an independent and urgent voice on behalf of their assigned children.”

The SOWEGA CASA program covers the Southwestern Judicial Circuit, which includes Lee, Macon, Schley, Stewart, Sumter and Webster counties. In 2006, there were 1,044 children involved in child protective service investigations (for either abuse or neglect) in this circuit. Of those children, roughly half were African-American and half were Caucasian, and boys and girls were almost equally represented. And, of those children in Department of Family and Children Service’s custody last year, 85 were moved three or more times.

“CASA volunteers will provide a voice for these children in court by working to ensure that their best interests are considered,” said Brad Ray, executive director of the program. “Together, we can work toward breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect.”

The mission of SOWEGA CASA, Inc. is to provide screened, trained and supervised community volunteers. Volunteers are then appointed by a Juvenile Court Judge Lisa Jones to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the juvenile courts of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit.

The training is set to begin Tuesday, January 20 at 5:15 pm at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving located on GSW University ’s campus. Those seeking more information about the SOWEGA CASA program, or about volunteering with the program, are encouraged to call (229) 931-4488 or email brad@sowegacasa.org.

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October 1, 2008

Three Appointed as New CASA Board of Directors

– SOWEGA CASA is proud to announce its three newest board members. Plez Hardin, David Garrison and Jolie Ledger were appointed by the existing board in August and were eligible to vote at meetings starting September.

“We’re very excited to have three new board members and are confident they will be an asset to our already stellar CASA Board,” said Board Chair Faye Frazier. “They are going to help recruit additional volunteers and help the community understand CASA’s importance and purpose.”

The SOWEGA CASA program covers the Southwest Judicial Circuit, which includes Lee, Macon, Schley, Stewart, Sumter and Webster counties. In 2006, there were 1,044 children involved in child protective service investigations (for either abuse or neglect) in this circuit. Of those children, roughly half were African-American and half were Caucasian, and boys and girls were almost equally represented. And, of those children in Department of Family and Children Service’s custody last year, 85 were moved three or more times.

The mission of SOWEGA CASA, Inc. is to provide screened, trained and supervised community volunteers. Volunteers are then appointed by a Juvenile Court Judge Lisa Jones to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the juvenile courts of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit.

Those seeking more information about the SOWEGA CASA program, or about volunteering with the program, are encouraged to call (229) 931-4488 or email bray@canes.gsw.edu.

Below are brief biographies of the newest board members:

Hardin is married to Kimberly Brown Hardin. They are the proud parents of four children:  Sarah Beth, Caroline, William, and Mary Rachel.  Hardin and his family are currently members of the Montezuma United Methodist Church where he has served in various advisory roles. In addition, Hardin is a Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Montezuma and has held advisory positions on the Macon County Chamber of Commerce, Macon County Historical Society and Montezuma Downtown Development Authority. 

David Garrison is professor of English and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Georgia Southwestern State University. Prior to moving to Sumter County in 2006, Garrison worked as an associate dean at Georgetown University in Washington, DC , and prior to that as chair of the Department of English at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga . He has published poetry and literary criticism in numerous national and regional journals. In addition to serving on the CASA Board of Directors, Garrison also serves as a member of the board of Americus Literacy Action, Inc., an organization which provides tutoring to adults in the local area who cannot read. He and his wife, Donna Barger, live in Americus .

Jolie and Chad Ledger reside, with their two sons Chase and Cade, in Leslie. She teaches 5^th grade social studies at AS Clark in Cordele and is a member of Leslie Baptist Church where she also is the Vacation Bible School director.  She is a member of the Americus Junior Service League Town and the Country Garden Club of Leslie where she serves as the chairman of the Dogwood Days Antique Show.

LEESBURG, GA – Recognizing the need for trained and supervised volunteers to help with abused and neglected children, the Court Appointed Special Advocate program has scheduled a volunteer training program to begin May 8, 2008.

“CASA will provide trained and supervised community volunteers who work to ensure safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children,” said Advisory Board Member Lynda Lee Purvis. “This is a great opportunity for people to donate a little time and do a lot of good.”

The GSW CASA program covers the Southwest Judicial Circuit, which includes Lee, Macon, Schley, Stewart, Sumter and Webster counties. In 2006, there were 1,044 children involved in child protective service investigations (for either abuse or neglect) in this circuit. Of those children, roughly half were African-American and half were Caucasian, and boys and girls were almost equally represented. And, of those children in Department of Family and Children Service’s custody last year, 85 were moved three or more times.

“CASA volunteers will provide a voice for these children in court by working to ensure that their best interests are considered,” said Brad Ray, executive director of the program. “Together, we can work toward breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect.”

The mission of GSW CASA, Inc. is to provide screened, trained and supervised community volunteers. Volunteers are then appointed by a Juvenile Court Judge Lisa Jones to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the juvenile courts of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit.

The training is set to begin Thursday, May 8 at 5:30 pm at the Lee County Chamber of Commerce in Leesburg. Those seeking more information about the GSW CASA program, or about volunteering with the program, are encouraged to call (229) 931-4488 or email bray@canes.gsw.edu.

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AMERICUS, GA – Recognizing the need for trained and supervised volunteers to help with abused and neglected children, the Court Appointed Special Advocate program has scheduled a volunteer training program to begin August 14, 2008.

“CASA will provide trained and supervised community volunteers who work to ensure safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children,” said Board Member Lynda Lee Purvis. “This is a great opportunity for people to donate a little time and do a lot of good.”

The CASA program covers the Southwest Judicial Circuit, which includes Lee, Macon, Schley, Stewart, Sumter and Webster counties. In 2006, there were 1,044 children involved in child protective service investigations (for either abuse or neglect) in this circuit. Of those children, roughly half were African-American and half were Caucasian, and boys and girls were almost equally represented. And, of those children in Department of Family and Children Service’s custody last year, 85 were moved three or more times.

“CASA volunteers will provide a voice for these children in court by working to ensure that their best interests are considered,” said Brad Ray, executive director of the program. “Together, we can work toward breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect.”

The mission of CASA, Inc. is to provide screened, trained and supervised community volunteers. Volunteers are then appointed by Juvenile Court Judge Lisa Jones to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the juvenile courts of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit.

The training is set to begin Thursday, August 14 at 5:30 pm at the Rosalynn Carter Institute located on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University. Those seeking more information about the CASA program, or about volunteering with the program, are encouraged to call (229) 931-4488 or email lduncan@canes.gsw.edu.

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