April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month – established in 1983, is a time when caring people go the extra mile to raise awareness of the terrible toll that abuse, and neglect take on young lives and to remind our community that everyone can play a role in preventing such harm.
When children who have been abused or neglected grow up without a strong support system, without the focused help they need to heal, and without the guidance of those who know how to advocate for their every need, it’s not only their own lives that are shattered. Research shows that they will be much more likely to abuse their own kids one day, and so the cycle continues.
CASA of Northeast Oklahoma is a nonprofit organization who trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system in northeast Oklahoma. Their mission is to advance the welfare of northeast Oklahoma children through best interest child advocacy and family strengthening efforts that are individualized and culturally sensitive. They promote and support quality volunteer representation for children to provide each child with a safe, permanent and nurturing home.
CASA of Northeast Oklahoma is breaking that cycle by ensuring that abused and neglected children in foster care have the chance to recover and to find a permanent loving home, whether that be returning home safely to their family or adopted into a forever home. With a trained and supported CASA volunteer by their side – in court, in the child welfare system and in life – foster children get a real opportunity to grow up strong, stable and successful.
“CASA volunteers help children navigate the foster care system. They bridge the gap between the courthouse and community, helping judges understand the specific support each child needs,” said Emily Bowling, Executive Director, CASA of Northeast Oklahoma.
During this special month of awareness, CASA of Northeast Oklahoma holds their annual Paper Doll Project “Battle of the Counties” in the six counties (Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Ottawa, Rogers, Washington) in northeast Oklahoma where they provide services to children living in foster care. Businesses, organizations, churches and individuals agree to sponsor wooden dolls (size 3T-4T), name, dress and display them in their businesses or visible locations as a reminder that there are children living in foster care in each community. All clothing stays in the county where it is collected and distributed to foster children. The county raising the most money during the month receives the traveling trophy to display for the following year.
“During April and throughout the year, CASA of Northeast Oklahoma asks everyone to please consider making an investment in the lives of children living in foster care. Become a CASA volunteer, make a tax-deductible gift to CASA of Northeast Oklahoma, mentor a child in school, or simply offer an encouraging word to a child who is struggling. The point is to get involved – make a difference. Helping change a child’s story today will go a long way to helping children break the cycle of abuse and neglect forever,” said Bowling.
About CASA of Northeast Oklahoma: Incorporated in May 1995, CASA (then Tri-County CASA) was formed serving Craig, Mayes, and Rogers County. It is now a regional program serving six counties (Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Ottawa, Rogers, and Washington) in northeast Oklahoma, plus the Shawnee Tribal Court. CASA of Northeast Oklahoma, celebrating its 30 Year Anniversary, envisions a world where every abused and neglected child has a CASA volunteer appointed to represent his or her best interests, where all children have a safe, permanent, nurturing home and where they can thrive. CASA of Northeast Oklahoma is a member of the Oklahoma CASA Association and the National CASA/GAL Association.
For more information about CASA of Northeast Oklahoma and volunteer and donation opportunities, please visit www.casaneok.org or call 918-923-7276.
