OUR PLEDGE TO ADDRESS RACIAL INEQUITIES
Speaking out against injustice aligns with the mission of CASA. 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:
Our actions are long overdue. Savannah/Chatham CASA will not stop until EVERY child who has experienced abuse or neglect is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.
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. Savannah/Chatham CASA will not stop until EVERY child who has experienced abuse or neglect is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.
Signed By:
Staff
Kate Blair, Executive Director Talia Gallo, Intern Hollyn Green, Community Outreach /AmeriCorps VISTA Eric Hornfeld, Trainer Teresa MacBride, Administrative Assistant Sharon Newman, Advocacy Coordinator Shannon Pickett, Intern Mandy Roberts, Advocacy Program Manager Susan Ryncavage, Advocacy Coordinator Maggie Smith, Advocacy Coordinator Kayla Williams, Communications & Development Coordinator Michael Wilson, Administrative Assistant Tim Wright, Advocacy Coordinator Betsy Smith, Bookkeeper Board Members Courtney Reich, Chair Jerry Rooney Prejea’n Andrews, Secretary Penny Rafferty Faith Buchanan Kathy Ledvina Holly Holdsworth, Vice Chair Jacobium Holliman Antwan T. Lang Kate Bailey Tom Hassett |
CASA Volunteers
Angel M. Mobley Ashton Burton Bet Walker Beverly Flanagan Leslie Bryant Debra DeMilto Geneva Roberts Howard F. Gaynor Karen Allen Karen Beckley Karen White Katy Dix Kelly Kommel Melissa Sharp Nozipho Hubbard Tanya Scott Terry Danhof Trish McKay Valarie Grimes Vernon Jones Natalie Moore-Hoffer Megan Breese Teorna Thomas Pam Cole Grimes DeShay Smith Janet Sinclair Yon Christina Barney-DiCianno Tanya Scott Alison Gonzalez Cynthia Mauger Omelia Donahoo Sarah Holbach LeAnne Myers Katie Griffith Grace Parker Wendi Sparks Dorinda Duggan Dawn Marie Fabian Lilia Gomez Ashton Burton Cecily F. Bailey Dale Wallace |
CASA Volunteers
Amy H. Waddell Amy Potter Sara Mitchell Rick Ellison Alicia Wilson Omelia Donahoo Amanda Meyer LeAnne Myers Candace Marshall Therese Wright Christi Sayyar Mary Jones Yvonne Hafer Skye Mills Cecily F. Bailey Katie Messinger Dawn Fabian Linda Harper Angel Burnett Danny Adams-Edwards Camryn Steward Elizabeth West Seren Gunter Denise Bozek Allison Harmon Victoria Avant Deborah Morse Sharia Lonon Amanda Meyer Debra DeMilto Blair Fine Jackie Dixon Ellen Atkins Faith Arner |
Community Partners
Dannette McGeeney Elena Carter Scott Center Ophelia Rodriguez Julie Wade Sonda Gabriel Nicole Gargiulo Trish Murphy Jo Claire Hickson Sean Cribbs Ramona Drayton Jackson Andrew Blair Tapestry Church Susie Ousley Steve Kaplan Erica Janocha DFCS Shawn Brown, Director Rogenia Savage Melody R. Scott, LMSW Nekesha Larkin Kris Burroughs Juvenile Court Belinda Walters |
If you would like your name to be added to Savannah/Chatham's Pledge please fill out this form.