Our Pledge to Address Racial Inequities
To our fellow community members, please know that during this time of mourning, anger and frustration, erupting due to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, Child Enrichment stands with our Black staff members, volunteers, families and children. We are deeply saddened by the continuation of violence against the Black community and we demand justice for all who have experienced harm.
Speaking out against injustice aligns with the mission of Child Enrichment and our CASA and CAC programs. 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 families within the child welfare system. In addition, research shows that Black 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.
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 Child Enrichment’s mission reflect the diversity of the community in the CSRA.
Our actions are long overdue. Child Enrichment will not stop until EVERY child who has experienced abuse or neglect is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.
Signed By:
Kari Viola-Brooke, CEI Executive Director
Bethlehem Dempsey, Events & Development Specialist
Candyce Walker-Rountree, CASA Director
Caitlyn Brantley, CAC Director
Maureen McManus, Administrative Assistant
Debra Minor, Chief Financial Officer
Laney Hankerson, CASA Advocacy Specialist
Amanda Hullum, CASA Advocacy Coordinator
Kate Crockett, CAC Therapist/Forensic Interviewer
David Pouler, CASA Volunteer
Valerie Coleman, CASA Volunteer
Rachael Wahl, Development Specialist
Tywanna Williams, CASA Volunteer
Wanda Geter, CASA Volunteer
Wanda Weldon, CASA Volunteer
Kathryne Doupe, CASA Volunteer
Summer Moye, CASA Volunteer
Samuel E. Meller, Esq., Community Partner
Melissa Barnes, CASA Volunteer
LaShelia Tolbert, CASA Volunteer
Deirdre Skolfield, CASA Volunteer
Mary George, CASA Volunteer
Daniel Adamkiewicz, Community Citizen
Maria Novajosky, CASA Volunteer
Kike Ogunsemore, Community Citizen
Jess Weeden, CASA Volunteer
Tricia Burks, CASA Volunteer
Helga Ellis, CASA Volunteer
Nichole Lee, Community Citizen
Chequitta Jacobs, CAC Forensic Services Coordinator
Shemika White-Davis, CASA Advocacy Coordinator
Ariel Chance, CAC Therapist/Forensic Interviewer
Brandy Harmon, CASA Advocacy Specialist
Katrina Belsesr, CASA Volunteer
Amanda Hatfield, CAC Therapist/Forensic Interviewer
Whitley Clark, CASA Volunteer
Donna Young, CASA Volunteer
Anna Dunn, CASA Volunteer
Thomas Smyth, CASA Volunteer
Cheryl Boucher, CAC Clinical Coordinator
Catherine Ferguson, CASA Volunteer
Lyn Bonner, CASA Volunteer
Daria Sibert, CAC Client Intake Coordinator
Terry Chesnik, CASA Volunteer
Sheena Williams, CASA Volunteer
LaShonda Phillips, CASA Volunteer
Mattie Sue Stevens, CASA Volunteer
Kyle D. Goble, Community Citizen
Justin Baman, Community Citizen
Naomi Siddiquee, Community Citizen
LaSaundria Walker, Community Citizen
Breeze Martinez, CASA Volunteer
Donna H. Wilbanks, CASA Volunteer
Erikeria Boyle, CASA Volunteer
Valerie Freeman, CASA Volunteer
Shamara Battle, Community Citizen
Amina Temkin, CASA Volunteer
Shana Thompson, CASA Advocacy Coordinator