CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Northeast Oklahoma is a local nonprofit organization that trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system in northeast Oklahoma.
Each month CASA recognizes a volunteer as a Spotlight Volunteer of the Month for their work in helping change a child’s story.
For the month of November, CASA recognizes Rick Crawford.
CASA volunteers and staff work to help change a child’s story. They work to make sure children who have been taken from their homes because of evidence of abuse and neglect don’t face dependency court and foster care alone.
“After learning about CASA and the services they provide, I was compelled to help,” said Rick Crawford.
Rick has a large family of 12, which includes him and his wife, kids, and grandkids. He has served as a CASA volunteer advocate for nearly two years, starting in 2021. He has worked on cases in Rogers and Mayes County but is willing to help in any county in northeast Oklahoma CASA serves. In addition to CASA, he has volunteered as a coach and officiating for 20 years.
“The most rewarding part of being a CASA volunteer was when one of my CASA children told me that nobody cared but me,” said Crawford.
“The most frustrating part of being a CASA volunteer is when we are unable to reunite families,” said Crawford.
“The more I am involved, the more I am compelled to help and motivated to stay involved. Also, I must applaud the DHS workers. Their contributions and resilience inspire me to do more,” said Crawford.
“Rick is caring and committed to doing his very best for the children whose cases are assigned to him. He is also a multitalented individual who can juggle and surfs. Combine those talents and it is easy to see why he is so well liked by the kids and successful as a CASA volunteer,” said Sandra Rains, Lead Advocate Coordinator for the 12th Judicial District. “Congratulations to Rick Crawford in on being recognized as the CASA of Northeast Oklahoma Spotlight Volunteer of Month for November!”
“I would say to anyone contemplating becoming a volunteer with CASA of Northeast Oklahoma, that you won’t regret it and your reward is immeasurable,” said Crawford.
Something that most people might not know about Rick is he married his high school sweetheart.
The CASA movement is central to fulfilling society’s fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for and protect a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect and learn and grow in the safe embrace of a loving family.
Congratulations Rick Crawford on being CASA of Northeast Oklahoma’s Spotlight Volunteer of the Month for November.
About CASA of Northeast Oklahoma:
Incorporated in May 1995, CASA (then Tri-County CASA) was formed serving Rogers, Mayes, and Craig County. It is now a regional program serving six counties (Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Ottawa, Rogers, and Washington) in Oklahoma, plus the Shawnee Tribal Court. CASA of Northeast Oklahoma envisions a world where every abused and neglected child has a CASA volunteer appointed to represent his or her best interests, a world where all children have a safe, permanent home and where children experience improved wellbeing.
For more information about volunteer opportunities and how you canhelp “Change A Child’s Story”, please visit www.casaneok.org/volunteer-your-time or call (918) 923-7276. To make a donation by mail, please write it to CASA of Northeast Oklahoma, 1222 N. Florence Ave., Suite A, Claremore, OK 74017. For donations online, please visit www.casaneok.org and click on the red “Donate Now” button.
