National CASA Association (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is one of many child advocacy organizations that are committed to the representation of children, advocating in the best interest of the child, as these children are involved in adjudicated abuse and/or neglect cases. National and local CASA continues its efforts of focusing on diversity and inclusion by increasing and broadening its partnerships with significant national and local organizations.
National CASA is one of the many partners of Essence Magazine's Essence Cares! Initiative, (a National Mentoring Movement). Other partners include: National Urban League, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., The Links Incorporated, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., NAACP, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, UNCF, 21st Century Foundation Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Girl Scouts of America, Children's Defense Fund, MAD Dads, Inc., MENTOR, Operation HOPE, and the National Institution for Literacy.
The unique position of New Mexico is that it is the alumnus state of the Essence Magazine co-founder, Ed Lewis. Mr. Lewis earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees here at the University of New Mexico, and he has maintained his relationship with UNM and with the black community here over the years. You can learn how to become a part of ESSENCE CARES! at www.essence.com/essence/emf/essencecares/about.html.
To help strengthen an ESSENCE CARES! partnership, I attended the 21st Annual 100 Black Men of America Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 5-8th. Through networking we promoted CASA and the ESSENCE CARES! Initiative. 100 Black Men of America began in 1963 with a vision of improving conditions in their community, by implementing programs designed to improve the quality of life of African Americans and other minorities. They also wished to ensure the community's future by aiming an intense number of resources toward youth development.
Since then, 100 Black Men of America has grown to sustain signature programs within their organization nationwide that address mentoring, education, health and wellness and economic development. This undoubtedly continues to set a higher standard for the betterment of Black Men in their roles of leading our youth, and developing and displaying leadership skills everywhere they go. Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., President Emeritus of 100 Black Men is also a key investor in the strategy of the Essence Cares! Initiative. While attending, I shared with the 100 that we do not have a NM Chapter. Our state also has strong black men already working together to mentor, lead and set a standard for other black men as well as African American youth throughout the state; how great it would be for those here, possibly turning common interest into memberships and a NM Chapter of the 100! To find out more about the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. organization, visit www.100blackmen.org.
After Las Vegas, I also attended the National CASA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL on June 9-12, 2007 where the key note speakers were Susan L. Taylor, Editorial Director of Essence Magazine, and William C. Bell, President and CEO of Casey Family Programs. Both are well-known African American community leaders that have a vested interest in our youth; evidence of National CASA's long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion. Four days were spent celebrating progress, and learning more of CASA's framework for a sustaining diverse and inclusive future. National CASA has active Advisory Committees for the African American, Tribal/Native American and Hispanic/Latino cultures.
Stepping up local efforts, around the state, and parallel to the National CASA vision, the ABQ CASA office is plunging into the investment of cultural support of the CASA children that we serve. The hope and plan is to network with CASA offices statewide. I encourage everyone to visit the websites of National CASA (www.nationalcasa.org), 100 Black Men of America, Inc. (www.100BlackMen.org) and Essence Cares! (www.essence.com) to find out how to get involved locally to further support the need of children in care. African American males and children of color in general, are greatly over represented in the juvenile judicial system and in foster care, keeping a huge disproportional measure in the system and community.
If you have questions, want to become a CASA volunteer, or make yourself a resource for culture-specific issues needing to be addressed for the CASA youth that we advocate for, don't hesitate to contact me at nmcasaaaac@yahoo.com or (505) 410-1155. Your participation and contributions are as equally needed, as is the importance of the children we serve!