OUR PLEDGE TO ADDRESS RACIAL INEQUITIES

Speaking out against injustice aligns with the mission of Brightside Child & Family Advocacy. We cannot properly advocate for our children if we do not understand the long history of structural and institutionalized racism that has resulted in a disproportionate number of black and brown families within the child welfare system. In addition, research shows that black and brown families experience higher rates of poverty, have less access to healthcare and mental health resources, and suffer from higher levels of generational and societal trauma. These cumulative hindrances impact the family unit, leading to stress, abuse, and neglect.

In Chatham County, 65% of those in foster care are black, despite only 40% of our population being black.

To do our part, our organization is committed to:

• Acknowledging and correcting our own racial bias
• Calling out racial bias within and outside our organization
• Committing ourselves to understand the history of institutionalized racism within the child welfare system
• Acknowledging the trauma experienced by people of color
• Advocating to better the child welfare system in order to improve the experiences of families of color
• Ensuring that our staff, volunteers, board members, and all who implement the CASA mission reflect the diversity of the community of Savannah 

Our actions are long overdue. Brightside Child & Family Advocacy will not stop until EVERY child who has experienced abuse or neglect is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.

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