State CASA organization plans Thursday program
Tuesday, September 18, 2001
The Arkansas Court Appointed Special Advocates will host Faith Communities in Action for Children at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Philander Smith College in Little Rock.
The Rev. George Clements will be the featured speaker. Clements founded One Church One Child, a program responsible for the adoption of more than 60,000 black and biracial children in 40 states.
According to a prepared news release, Faith Communities in Action for Children is an opportunity for faith communities in Arkansas to get involved in making a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. Last year in Arkansas more than 4,000 children who were abused or neglected in their own homes were in need of foster care but there were only 900 foster homes available. These children all needed Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers, who focus on putting the child's needs first, but there were only 350 CASA volunteers.
To raise awareness of children's needs Arkansas, CASA, along with the Department of Human Services: Division of Children and Family Services and Division of Volunteerism have joined together in sponsoring this event.
Diane Robinson, state director of Arkansas CASA, said she hopes that Faith Communities in Action for Children will encourage community members to come together to learn about the many ways they can get involved and make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. One of the ways people can get involved is by becoming a CASA volunteer.
She said CASA volunteers speak for the best interest of a child in court and advocates for them to help them find a safe, permanent home where they can thrive.
"Nothing touches your heart more than helping a child," said Thea Spatz, a volunteer with Faulkner County CASA.
For more information, call Arkansas Court Appointed Special Advocates toll-free 1-866-284-8111.
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