Waycross Exchange Club member Jessica Blackrick, Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), shared insights about the vital services her organization provides and highlighted the strength of local partnerships working on behalf of families, seniors, and children.
CASA programs train and support volunteers appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Blackrick emphasized how closely CASA works with community partners like Action Pact to ensure vulnerable children have a consistent, informed voice throughout the legal process.
The speaker praised Action Pact’s long-standing commitment to community well-being, noting many residents are still unaware of the full scope of support available to them.
“Action Pact is so much more than what many people realize,” she said. “We want everyone to know about the wide range of services and opportunities we offer.”
For more than 50 years, Action Pact has served as a cornerstone community action agency, working alongside local partners to improve lives and strengthen neighborhoods across the region. Programs span early childhood education, senior services, crisis support and academic guidance for teens.
Among the programs highlighted during her presentation were:
• Community Care Services helps elderly and disabled adults remain safely in their homes.
Services include case management, skilled nursing, therapy and assessments to determine essential needs-sometimes even identifying when a senior requires items such as a refrigerator. Participants must be Medicaid-eligible.
The program also oversees Senior Nutrition, providing home-delivered meals.
• Head Start and Early Head Start offers family advocates and crisis support to help families with young children build stability and long-term success.
• Educational Talent Search is a program designed to keep teens on track academically while assisting with college readiness, financial aid applications, and long-term educational planning.
Blackrick’s presentation underscored the shared mission between CASA and Action Pact — ensuring vulnerable individuals, whether children, families, or seniors, receive the advocacy and support they need.
Community members are encouraged to learn more about the services available through Action Pact at myactionpact.org, and to explore CASA’s work on behalf of children at gacasa.org.
