August 31, 2016 - A large group of law enforcement, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and community members attended the relocation ribbon cutting for Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center (SCCAC) and CASA of East Texas at their new jointly occupied location at 131 Tenaha Street on Tuesday, August 30th.
Tonya Harry, Executive Director for CASA of Deep East Texas, welcomed everyone, "If you're not familiar with CASA, its Court Appointed Special Advocates and what we do is we recruit and train volunteers to speak on behalf of child abuse victims that are part of the foster care system. And when we were approached about coming together with the CAC (Children's Advocacy Center) and sharing the building together, I was thrilled."
Luke Garrett spoke next as the President of the Board of Directors of the SCCAC, "I want to welcome you all to this open house, we are glad that you are here. A lot of work goes into what we do here, not just in what you see here physically, a lot of work went into that, but I want to speak just a minute about the Center and what we are able to accomplish or just give some details." He then introduced the staff members of the SCCAC: Denise Merriman, Director; Sarah Shires, Counselor; Jade Miller, Forensic Interviewer; Marlene Hernandez, Family Advocate; Valerie Warren, Administrator Assistant; Kim Payne and Cindy Mince, Counselor Interns.
Garrett continue, "This is a great work that we do here, it's a needed work, but it comes at a great price. It is through, much of the funding that we get is from our local community. Through civic organizations, through individuals, through businesses, through religious organizations, many of you that are here today are part of that. And it's not a situation were we could not do what we do as well without you, we could not do what we do without you. So, I want to say thank you on behalf of the board, the staff and all the volunteers. Thank you because you are making a difference in our community."
Garrett then gave special recognition to the Davis Family, the W.I. and Inez Davis Foundation, made the building which is an amazing facility available to both organizations to use. "I want to thank Judge Guy and Mrs. Cindy Griffin, Neilson and Dianna Davis and their families. Y'all have been given a great tool and I want you to know, personally, I think you are making a difference right here at home. I respect that, I admire that, and thank you for being a great steward of the tool that's been given you," Garrett said.
Everyone attending were able to take a tour of the building and enjoy refreshments.
