Volunteers for Youth Justice CASA Program hosted the 2026 Light of Hope ceremony at the Minden Civic Center on Thursday, April 16, in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The event included a ceremony commemorating the lives lost to child abuse and neglect in 2025. Organizers placed 25 pinwheels to honor the 25 children who died in Louisiana during that year.
Sandra Samuel, Volunteers for Youth Justice, Webster Parish CASA supervisor, addressed attendees during the ceremony.
“Today we gather as a community to shine a light on an issue that affects far too many children, but also to share hope, strength, and the power we have to make a difference,” Samuel said.
“Child abuse can happen in any community, any neighborhood, and to any child, but so can prevention, so can protection, and so can healing. Today is about awareness, remembrance, and action. Together we stand for every child who deserves to feel safe, loved, and protected,” she said.
Attendees were given blue and silver pinwheels to hold in remembrance. Children from Lagniappe Montessori School performed a song to close the event.
A CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a trained community volunteer appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. Advocates monitor cases, gather information, and work to ensure children find safe, permanent homes.
Samuel stated that CASA is in need of volunteer advocates.
“I currently have 48 children without an advocate to be their voice and to stand up for their best interest,” she said.
For more information about becoming an advocate, contact Volunteers for Youth Justice at www.vyjla.org or Louisiana CASA at www.louisianacasa.org.
