Jessica Blackrick (second from left), the Director of Southeast Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates, spoke to a recent lunch meeting of the Waycross Exchange Club. CASA is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in foster care, particularly those abused or involved in juvenile court deprivation proceedings. In Waycross, CASA works under the umbrella of Action Pact, and the need for volunteers is critical. Blackrick said there currently are 20 volunteers in a service area that needs 200. A CASA volunteer gathers information about the child’s situation, attends court proceedings and makes a recommendation to the judge so that he has the information to make a decision about the child’s future. CASA’s goal is to advocate until the child is returned home or placed in a safe, permanent home and the case is closed. To learn more about CASA call (912) 809-6072, visit myactionpact.org or email [email protected]. Flanking Blackrick and Community Outreach Coordinator Erika Washington are club president David Johnson and program chair Linda Hayes.
