CASA of Lowndes and Echols Co. swears in first volunteer cohort

Jan. 8—VALDOSTA — About 327 Lowndes County children are currently placed in the foster care system. Seven volunteer community members were sworn in Monday to advocate within the juvenile court on behalf of the county's youth in need.

Lowndes County leaders such as Commissioner Joyce Evans and representatives of local children services agencies have worked over five years to establish the local Court Appointed Special Advocate program.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Lowndes County Juvenile Court with a reception at the CASA House, 1503 Madison Highway, Monday morning.

Judge James Council Jr. first swore in Elaine Grice, the former executive director of CASA for the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, as the new director for the CASA of Lowndes and Echols county.

Grice entered the position in September of 2023 and has worked alongside the program's Board of Directors and its first group of volunteers.

CASA provides specially trained adult volunteers, who are appointed by the court to improve a child's experience in foster care. The CASA and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers will act as a bridge between the child, foster care system and the juvenile court.

"In Lowndes County, we have 327 children in foster care. This is our starting point," Grice said to the large crowd. "They're going to each take a case and advocate for children that are in foster care. They're going to do it with all their heart."

The seven volunteers who swore the oath include Vivian Heggins, Angela Register, Amy Hall, Ariele D'emidio, Sonia Robinson, Daniyel Mills and Lynnette Kenworthy.

Mills said he was happy and proud to not only recognize the need but to take an active role in CASA's mission. He is most excited to give a voice to the children.

Six individuals followed Grice and the volunteers in taking the oath to represent the CASA of Lowndes and Echols County Board of Directors. The board members are Rachel Thrasher, Jeanna Beeland, Tesha Larkins, Joanna Tanner, Octavia Faulk and Zachary Richards.

"Because we have a high number of children within the foster care system and so few advocates in the courtroom for them, this is a huge win for Lowndes and Echols County. Six volunteers can make a huge difference and position ourselves for growth within the future," Thrasher said in an interview following the ceremony.

She said the board is most excited to know that there will be a consistent positive adult in the children's lives during a time they didn't ask to go through.

Faulk agreed, "I look forward to seeing more people advocate for children, and for people actually being the voice of the child who can't speak up for themselves."

CASA of Lowndes and Echols County is seeking more volunteers to undergo training to assist the area's youth. For more information, contact Executive Director Elaine Grice at casaelaine3@gmail.com or call 229-247-4324.