Adam Teer, Director of CANHelp and Harold Nash, Chairman of the Board,
joined staff of CASA and SAFE-T in honoring them at Thursday's luncheon.



CANHelp Honors CASA and SAFE-T

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

In making opening and welcoming remarks, Adam Teer, Director of the local CANHelp organization, explained that April was both Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, and his organization wanted to recognized the world that both SAFE-T and CASA do for our county residents, by hosting a wonderful lucheon, on Thursday. "Both of these organizations deal with violence on a daily basis, and most of us wonder how on earth they can do it, as many times they are required to 'take the ugliness of this world' home with them at night!" related Teer. "Thus, we wanted to honor these two organizations who do so much for this community, and to make others aware of the great work they do in basically making lemonade out of the lemons in life!"

Teer called on Rev. Harold Nash, chairman of the CANHelp Board of Directors, to lead the group in a prayer.

 

 

Mary Ferguson outlined the many services of the SAFE-T Program.

 

He then called on Mary Ferguson, Director of SAFE-T, to explain her program and its outreach into the local community. Ferguson introduced her staff and told that their organization served some 1684 family violence cases in the year 2011, with 223 of them being in Hopkins County. She outlined that the organization is to serve victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and works to help women and children who are abused. She outlined the many services that her organization provides and encouraged everyone to call (903)575-9999, if anyone needs their services.

 

 

 

 

 

Gina Law outlines the many steps involved with her organization, in protecting the children of
the greater Hopkins County area.

 

 

Teer then introduced, Gina Law, local CASA Director, who gave an outline of the local Court Appointed Special Advocacy program, that operates in Hopkins and surrounding counties.   Law told the group that her organization  began when four women from the Dial Study Club, in Sulphur Springs, saw the need for children to be represented and their needs shepherded through the court system, when they were victims of violence. She indicated that her group had served 251 children in 2010, another 170 children in 2011, and had already accepted 39 cases since January 1, of this year. "The drug problem in Hopkins County is one of the most evil causes of child abuse, neglect, and intervention," expressed Law. "When parents are involved in drugs their parenting skills 'go out the window' and the children are the ones that suffer the most, in many instances!"

"I keep telling myself, when I have difficult cases to work with, that if I didn't do it, who would!" continued Law. "Certainly, I believe in the power of prayer, but God challenges us to not only pray but to act and do our best to correct the wrongs in this life, and I feel honored that this is one way that I can do just that!"

A wonderful lunch of King Ranch Chicken, salad, cornbread muffins, and dessert was served, as the staff from these two vital organizations were honored.

 

 

Thank You, CASA and SAFE-T!!!!

 

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