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In 1995, a group of individuals with various concerns regarding children’s issues realized the need for an organization that could serve as a spokesperson for children. To address this need the Rapides Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc (RCAC) was created.
The mission of the Children’s Advocacy Network is to help heal and champion abused and neglected children throughout Central Louisiana.
VISION
Our vision is to create a community to eradicate the cycle of abuse and neglect.
Testimonials
- #BeTheChange
"CASA really has been an important part of our lives, and we feel like we wouldn’t have our kids if it weren’t for them. Words cannot express. It’s just like family. How can you express family? Just love."
- RENEE GILLAM
FORMER FOSTER PARENT, NOW ADOPTIVE PARENT
"Of all the things that I’ve ever done, it will be the thing that I am most proud of and that I still care most about. And I am proud of the people who have carried on what we envisioned. To take it beyond even what we could conceive."
- MIKE JOHNSON
STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE RCAC & CASA
“Thousands of children have come through here, have been effected by the agency, and have been helped. But more than that, their families have as well.â€
- MARK VILAR
CAN BOARD MEMBER
“Children’s Advocacy Network is really a shining example of public/private partnership. “
- DAVID BRITT
UNITED WAY CEO
“You have to be really brave to be the first person to say I’m going to tackle child abuse in the community.â€
- TAMMI SALAZAAR
CAN BOARD SECRETARY
“It really is everyone pulling together that has allowed the Children’s Advocacy Network to grow and serve so many children throughout our region.â€
- LEISA LAWSON
CAN BOARD PRESIDENT
“It’s just a God sent blessing for Rapides Parish to have the advocacy center here. I don’t know what we would do without it.â€
- WILLIAM HILTON
FORMER RAPIDES PARISH SHERIFF
“Children’s concerns have always been my concern. It’s so rewarding to see something that you were at the beginning…it just feels really special to have been a part of such a wonderful organization.â€
- BILLIE HILTON
FORMER CAN BOARD MEMBER
“It’s unfortunate that services of this nature are needed in our community, but it touches my heart to know that this center is there to serve the needs of children, and it is always done in the most child-friendly way.â€
- DEBORA RANDOLPH
PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL LOUISIANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER OF RCAC
“When a family is in trouble, it’s the agency to go to.â€
- CLARENCE FIELDS
MAYOR OF PINEVILLE
“It’s amazing today to see how that agency has grown over the past 25 years. It’s still a foundation in Rapides Parish and Alexandria, and still serving children across Louisiana.â€
- CAPTAIN LILLIE EVANS
ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE AT THE TIME RCAC WAS FOUNDED
“Being a part of the Children’s Advocacy Network has been, other than church and my family, the most important thing I’ve done…â€
- JOHN THERIOT
CAN BOARD MEMBER
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today, I wouldn’t be able to do the work that I do every single day without the passion that’s in the Children’s Advocacy Network.â€
- HTET HTET RODGERS
FORMER FOSTER CHILD/CASA KID
“CASA volunteers are just more intimately involved with what’s going on…and able to give a voice to this child that will hopefully let them live a productive, happy, successful life and have hope for the future…It really has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.â€
- KATHY MARTIN
CAN BOARD MEMBER FORMER CASA VOLUNTEER
“Everything starts with what we can do ourselves. Our own level of personal responsibility. I can. You can. We all can eliminate child abuse and neglect in our communities.â€
- BARETT BYRD
CAN BOARD MEMBER FORMER CASA DIRECTOR
Latest Video
#BeTheChange
Our community plays an important role in preventing child maltreatment. We all can take action and #bethechange that is needed to end child abuse.