"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Makes $22K Contribution to CASA

"Cherokee Nation presents a check for $22,000 to CASA of Cherokee Country representatives to help fund their day-to-day operations. From left to right: Bill John Baker and Tina Glory Jordan, Tribal Council members representing Cherokee County, Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, Marilynn Carter, CASAOCC treasurer, Jo Prout, CASAOCC executive director and Ginger Brown, CASAOCC board member."

The Cherokee Nation recently made a contribution of $22,000 to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cherokee Country to support daily operations of the Tahlequah-based non-profit.

“This contribution from Cherokee Nation we receive each year is vital to the daily operations of CASA of Cherokee Country,” said Jo Prout, executive director of CASAOCC.

CASA of Cherokee Country is one of 26 CASA organizations in Oklahoma, and 900 nationally, that trains ordinary citizens to become voices for children in court. The organization’s volunteers serve as an independent voice for neglected or abused children in court proceedings in Cherokee Nation court, Cherokee County court and Adair County court.

According to its officials, the mission of CASA of Cherokee Country is to enable children to have a voice and help judges make better decisions on what is best for that child using independent information provided by CASA volunteers. The goal of the organization is to ensure that each child finds a safe-permanent home and credits local contributions for helping them achieve their goals. More than 85 percent of all children served by CASA of Cherokee Country are Native American.

“Cherokee Nation's annual support enables CASA to operate without using precious reserve monies and the board of directors and staff of CASA are very grateful for Cherokee Nation's response to our need,” said Prout.