CASA Family Systems has expanded from its initial focus on sexual assault to provide help to victims of domestic violence and, most recently, child sexual and physical abuse, over the past 28 years.

With the expansion in focus came an expansion in services. A nearly $25,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation will now help the agency enhance its educational resources and provide technological support for its Children's Health Center.

Established in 2005, the center addresses the prevention, investigation, assessment, referral for prosecution and treatment of child victims of physical and sexual violence. While a physician has not been acquired to conduct forensic medical exams, forensic interviews are being done.

Pamela Lackey, president of AT&T South Carolina, was among the company officials, CASA staff members and members of the Edisto Club of the AT&T Pioneers and Communications Workers of America, CWA Local 3719, who converged upon the agency recently.

Lackey presented the agency serving Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties with a $24,750 check from the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc.

"This check represents our support for the purchase of computers, printers, cameras, video equipment and educational resources for the continued development of the Edisto Children's Center. The center is devoted to anchoring and improving the education of children who themselves are young victims of a domestically violent relationship," Lackey said.

Lackey said CASA has been at the forefront of serving victims of domestic violence, with Executive Director Gilda Cobb-Hunter, "clearly understanding the far-reaching affects of abuse and continuously looking for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children and their families."

She also thanked members of the Edisto Club of the AT&T Pioneers, a community volunteer organization of active and retired employees, for their service and commitment to the agency.

"We actually dedicated the very first room at the shelter. We now have (adopted) two additional bedrooms on another floor. We basically participate from a community standpoint in supporting CASA," said Edisto Club member Cindy Rikards, who is also a CASA board member.

Curtis Randolph of the CWA Local 3719 said the union also has supported CASA over the years.

"When they first started the shelter, the Pioneers and the communities partnered together to help them get the place started. We did some of the landscaping ... and beautification of the yard. Then we also adopted a room and started the laundry room. As they grow, we also support them in their efforts in things they do for women and children," Randolph said.

"We try to assist in helping organizations provide a safe haven for people in the community. We're about environmental health issues, educating the public on things that can help their livelihood. We're getting involved with other community action agencies to help push those processes," Randolph said.

Cobb-Hunter said the support of her staff, the Edisto Club and the CWA have helped CASA be successful.

"We will use these funds to bring our agency up to the 21st century as far as networking, computer skills and all of the things that a lot of us who work here have dreamed about for a very long time. These funds will make it possible to have a local access network not only for the administrative offices, but for the Edisto Children's Center," she said.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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