Pine Ridge Reservation Organizations
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Anpetu Luta Otipi "Living in a Red Day" Kiyuksa O'Tipi Reintegration Center Lakota Oyate Wakanyeja Owicakiyapi, Inc. (LOWO) Oglala Lakota Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program
Oglala Sioux Tribe Victims Assistance OST Partnership for Housing, Inc. Saint Francis Home for Lakota Children |
Oglala Lakota Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) ProgramIn 1990, Congress passed the Victims of Child Abuse Act and encouraged the expansion of CASA (court appointed special advocates) programs throughout the nation. Founded in 1997, Oglala Lakota Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (OLCASA) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting and promoting tribal court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children. OLCASA supports hundreds of children in crisis each year by recruiting and training volunteers to serve as CASA advocates. OLCASA currently has two dedicated staff members (an executive director and a child advocacy coordinator) and a small number of volunteers who perform many hours of work on each child's case. The advocates visit the children in foster homes and residential facilities, interview parents, caseworkers and medical professionals, and make recommendations to the court regarding the welfare of the children. Oftentimes an OLCASA advocate is the only constant in the turbulent lives of these children, many of whom are victims of sexual abuse. At present, OLCASA is advocating for nearly one hundred children ranging in age from newborn to 17 in the tribal court system. However, due to lack of resources, OLCASA is unable to help hundreds more who are in need. CASA organizations typically receive minimal grant funds from the national CASA umbrella organization and must recruit volunteers and raise additional monies in their own communities to fund the local work that they do on behalf of the children. Unfortunately, on the reservation, much of the population is living in poverty so there are few sources of funds available and OLCASA has undergone recent budget cuts, further reducing its ability to serve the children of the community. Local volunteers must not only donate their time but also cover all of their expenses out-of-pocket, including gasoline, to drive to and from the courts and other far-flung locations on behalf of the children. As in the rest of the country, the cost of gasoline on the reservation is skyrocketing and the advocates often have to travel over 100 miles per trip each way. The budget cuts and increased expenses are having a devastating effect on OLCASA's ability to recruit volunteers and the children they serve. OLCASA advocates for the children and you can advocate for OLCASA by becoming a long distance supporter. Please join us by helping traumatized children, the most vulnerable of the Pine Ridge Reservation population, and send a tax-deductible check or money order to
Oglala Lakota CASA Click here if you'd like to join our 100 donor $100 challenge to support OLCASA's kids and thank you so much for making an investment in the future of a Lakota child! OLCASA can also use donations of the following items:
Art Supplies for all ages (new only please) Gas cards (Shell Oil only please as it is the only major gas station on the reservation) Long distance calling cards (for children in residential group homes) Prepaid credit cards (for emergency purchases for the children)
Toys, Dolls and Games for all ages (new only please)
Ship your donations to: Via UPS/FedEx/DHL only:
Oglala Lakota CASA Via U.S. Mail only:
Oglala Lakota CASA
Please Note: Due to the volume of donations shipped to the reservation FoPRR cannot verify delivery of your boxes. If you require confirmation of delivery, please purchase delivery confirmation from the post office or use your shipping service's tracking system. Please do not use Styrofoam packing material. New large size trash bags serve well as padding and are reusable.
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