Meraux Foundation Renews Commitment to CASA
The Meraux Foundation proudly announces its renewed commitment to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) with a new pledge of an additional $100,000 over the next three years. This substantial investment reaffirms the Meraux Foundation’s dedication to supporting the vital work of CASA in St. Bernard Parish.
"Our renewed commitment to CASA reflects our unwavering dedication to the well-being of children in St. Bernard Parish," said Rita Gue, President of the Meraux Foundation. "We are honored to partner with CASA in their mission to provide a voice for the voiceless and advocate for the most vulnerable members of our community."
In 2017, CASA became an integral part of St. Bernard Parish thanks to the support of the Meraux Foundation. Before CASA's presence, children in the foster care system lacked dedicated advocates to represent their interests in courtrooms.
The Meraux Foundation played a pivotal role in bringing CASA to the parish. Its initial support began with a $30,000 contribution towards a successful pilot program in 2016. Subsequently, in 2017, the Meraux Foundation committed to sustaining the CASA program in St. Bernard Parish. Since then, the Meraux Foundation has contributed more than $315,000 to CASA, including the $100,000 pledge announced today.
"We are immensely grateful to the Meraux Foundation for their continued and generous financial support, which allows CASA to fulfill our mission in St. Bernard Parish,” said Joy Bruce, CASA's executive director. “The Meraux Foundation's commitment ensures that we can advocate effectively for children in St. Bernard. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Meraux Foundation for their invaluable partnership."
CASA's unique approach involves training volunteers to advocate for individual children within the foster care system. These volunteers undergo rigorous training, equipping them with essential knowledge about child development, the child welfare system, case law, and various scenarios they may encounter while serving as advocates.
Without CASA, children often slip through the cracks, failing to receive necessary services or remaining in foster care indefinitely. However, with a CASA advocate by their side, children benefit from stable support from caring adults, facilitating the fulfillment of their needs and guiding them toward safe, permanent, nurturing homes. Research shows that children with a CASA advocate are less likely to experience disruptions in the foster care system and are 50% less likely to reenter foster care after their case is closed.
Despite the invaluable impact of CASA, its success relies heavily on community and volunteer support. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer should reach out to Info@casaneworleans.org.
The Meraux Foundation is proud to continue standing alongside CASA, ensuring that vulnerable children in our parish receive the advocacy and support they deserve.