THE SHOALS-Colbert and Lauderdale County CASA Programs had a party at the Old Railroad Bridge in Sheffield. The Railroad Bridge was chosen in part as a symbol of the bridge that is CASA to the abused and neglected children of the Shoals and also as a bridge between the two counties in order to better serve the children. The party was held with family and friends to announce the merger of the two agencies. There was a lot of laughter goodwill and a great lunch provided by CASA of the Shoals and The Quad-Cities Daily was there to record the event in Photos.
CASA Board Members –
(L-R) Derek Ricks, Andrea Holt, Steven Suh, Jan Ingle, Cletus Tidwell, JoHelene Patrick, Cameron Kay, Kim Gosney, Tom Magazzu
This merger is expected to improve organizational efforts to best serve abused and neglected children who are currently going through our court systems. This merger will also allow Shoals CASA to better pursue corporate partnerships within our community and increase the resources available to children of The Shoals.
How Do CASA Volunteers Help Children?
CASA Volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. CASA Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA Volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.
Independent research demonstrates that children with a CASA Volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care and less likely to reenter care. CASA Volunteers are making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. We invite you to be a partner in our success by joining us for this exciting announcement.
To learn more about Shoals CASA, contact Andrea Holt, Executive Director – 256. 765.0041
