San Antonio's commitment to supporting the victims of child abuse took a tangible step forward with the unveiling of the freshly renovated Harvey E. Najim Campus of Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA). Angie White, the CEO of CASA, beamed with pride as she opened the doors to a future where abused children can now start to forever put behind their traumas within the walls of this safe haven. "CASA has reimagined a 22,300 square foot building and a two point nine acre campus," White said in a statement obtained by KENS5.
The campus' overhaul, a journey taking about two years with roughly ten months in construction, was made possible through the Holt Family’s support and a generous $1 million donation by local philanthropist Harvey Najim. His deep-pocketed charity work, aimed to quickly transform lives, is no stranger to the city's most vulnerable young citizens. With new spaces such as a library loaded with books, a teaching kitchen, and a beautiful playground, the campus is set up to support children's emotional and educational needs. White highlighted the importance of advocates being able to "bring the children here" to enjoy and relax in these facilities, as reported by KSAT.
Despite the festive atmosphere of the inauguration, White reiterated the stark reality that the need for child advocates continues to outpace the supply. "We are serving around 1,000 children that means there’s 2,600 children that don’t have an advocate in this community," White told KSAT. She emphasized both the comfortable environment provided by CASA and the ongoing commitment to recruit more advocates for the cause.
Najim, reflecting on his philanthropic journey since establishing his foundation in 2007, aims to use his resources to make sustainability a cornerstone of children's recovery. "Children are the future of cities, the future of states and the future of the country," Najim expressed in a heartfelt statement to KENS5. His message is clear: the future is brighter with the nurture and care these children will receive at CASA's new campus.
In the midst of a society grappling with the shadows of child abuse and neglect, Child Advocates San Antonio stands as a beacon of hope. Its newly renovated Harvey E. Najim Campus is more than a building; it's the embodiment of a community's resolve to protect and cherish its youngest members. Should anyone suspect abuse or neglect, they are urged to call 911 or the child abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400.
