Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – The Arvest Foundation has announced a $4,000 grant to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the 2nd Judicial District.
The grant will provide funds to recruit, train, and support volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in foster care in Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett Counties.
Kevin Hufstedler, community bank president for Arvest Bank in Jonesboro, and Selena Barber, community marketing specialist, presented a check on behalf of Arvest Foundation to Angie Tate, executive director for CASA, Tami Dodd, advocate supervisor, and Donna Bell, Greene County supervisor and part-time supervisor for Craighead County.
“We are honored to support CASA,” Hufstedler said. “The work of CASA volunteers is so critical in the lives of abused and neglected children in our community, and we are proud to partner with CASA to support their volunteers.”
Founded in 1995, CASA of the 2nd Judicial District is a nonprofit organization that serves abused and neglected children in foster care in Craighead, Greene, Clay, Poinsett, and Mississippi counties. CASA volunteers complete 30 hours of training and advocate for children until they have reached safe and permanent homes.
Since the inception of CASA advocacy, volunteers have helped more than 1 million children find safe, permanent homes. Just last year, 93,300 advocates provided a voice to more than 271,000 children in foster care.
“Arvest Bank and the Arvest Foundation’s continued commitment to CASA of the 2nd Judicial District reflects the power of community partnerships,” Tate said. “Together, we are making a meaningful impact in the lives of children in foster care. With partners like Arvest Bank and The Arvest Foundation, victims of child abuse and neglect are heard, and we can continue changing the future of our community by changing a child’s story.”
About the Arvest Foundation
The Arvest Foundation seeks to provide funding to grantees who are actively working to create positive change for others. The foundation’s major areas of focus include: K-12 education, economic development, and enhancing the quality of life throughout the Arvest footprint. Learn more here.