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 47% 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.

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SIGNED BY: 

TomStaff
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.