The Greater Terre Haute NAACP Branch has members who volunteer with CASA in Vigo County because they are committed to positively impacting the lives of abused and neglected children. Millions of children’s voices are never heard; Indiana CASA vounteers have served over 16,000 children. Abuse and neglect cases are not just from low income homes. CASA’s cases know no boundaries; they cross every race and social class.
Branch President Sylvester Edwards comments that “we want to ensure equitable dispensation of justice for all. This must include our children who, as victims of abuse and neglect, find themselves in the juvenile court system.”
The NAACP will host an open meeting to improve community awareness of the CASA program and its needs. Glenna Cheesman, Director of the Vigo County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) office will be the featured presenter. She expects those who attend will have an opportunity to learn about the process a child travels through in the juvenile court system and how they could help be a part by becoming a voice of a child.
Members and others interested in contributing to the discussion between CASA and the community are invited to attend the NAACP meeting on Monday, August 21, 2017, at the Vigo County Public Library at 6:30 p.m. The discussion will be open to the public.
Sandy Wickware, local Criminal Justice Committee chair, urges everyone to “get an understanding about what CASA does and how it works in fostering a voice of children to help them have a stable, loving and safe home.”
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Our mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.