Published: April 20, 2008 12:23 am            

CASA sets art gallery fundraiser

CASA’s second annual Kids Helping Kids Art Photography Project and Art Gallery and Silent Auction on April 29 will feature 12-year-old child abuse survivor and junior child advocate Shelbi.

Shelbi, now in a safe, permanent home, was given photography lessons by professional photographers Mike and Karen Campbell of MK’s Photography. Shelbi’s art will benefit the Payne County CASA program by providing a volunteer to speak for the best interest of other abused children who are currently in the court system.

Shelbi’s journey through child abuse and the court system was a stressful and traumatic experience for her.

“My parents were drug and alcohol addicts so I couldn’t live with them. Also they abused me,” she said, adding that she finally got out of the court system because “my mother stopped going to court, and also the judge gave guardianship to my great aunt and uncle.”

Because Shelbi had distant relatives interested in her situation and willing to take her, she never entered the custody of the Department of Human Services. DHS did investigations in the case but determined that the relatives would be appropriate caretakers.

Shelbi was still subject to court battles, however. After two months in court, her aunt and uncle were appointed guardians, but her biological mother contested the guardianship and wanted reunification.

Shelbi went through the court system for 16 months before the court appointed for her a guardian ad litem, which is similar to a CASA and represents the child’s best interests, at the request of the lawyer hired by her guardians.

“My GAL helped me a lot in court by speaking for me. No one really cared about what I said but she came along and cared about me,” she said.

Shelbi has now committed herself to numerous speaking engagements telling “My Story,” which gives her account of her journey through the court system, her experience with the law and the feelings she had while all of this was going on around her. She has spoken at the state Capitol on numerous occasions.

“It’s incredible for a 12-year-old who has been through all that Shelbi has to get up in front of adults and tell her story. I’ve been involved with the court system for some time now and even for me, listening to a child’s perception of the law and what was going on around her was eye opening. Her quest to help other kids is empowering adults to speak up for children so that means its working,” said Carmen Miller, CASA program director. “Most grown ups couldn’t get up and do what Shelbi does; she is a special young lady.”

Shelbi will tell “My Story” at 6:30 p.m. at the CASA Kids Helping Kids Art Gallery.

Shelbi’s prints as a result of the Kids Helping Kids Art Photography project will be on display and up for bid via silent auction during the art gallery and silent auction event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center. Other child art will also be up for bid. All proceeds will benefit Payne County CASA. The event is open to the public and admission is free.

Children will get a free toy at the door, and refreshments will be served courtesy of Stillwater Children’s Museum, Tracy Nelson and Ruth Blair with Stillwater Medical Center.

Winners of the “My Wish for Abused and Neglected Children” poster contest will be on display; awards will be presented at 5:45 p.m.

Also, new CASA volunteers will be sworn in by Judge Robert Murphy Jr. at 5:30 p.m.

For more information contact the CASA office at , 624-2242 or .

        

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