A new group is getting on its feet to take the place of CASA, the Citizens Against Spouse Abuse, just days after that organization shut down. CASA II has no money and no board of directors, but it's already helping abuse victims.
Last week, Joanne Patterson, CASA's former executive director, was charged with embezzling from the organization.
The arrest warrant for Patterson said nearly $30,000 in grant money that was supposed to be used for purchasing vans went for another purpose, though supporters say it was only to keep CASA's doors open.
Only a week after her arrest, volunteers for the new CASA II came to the Horry County Judicial Center Tuesday to serve as court advocates for domestic abuse victims.
Former CASA board member Erin Wilde is starting the new group and former CASA assistant director Alicia Rahiem is training new volunteers for court work, and to run the safe house when it reopens.
"There's some legal matters from what I understand that are taking place with an attorney from CASA II and to try to get possession of the Myrtle Beach safe house so we can open it up and have a place for victims," Rahiem said.
Rahiem added there will be a system of checks and balances and better monitoring of funding for the new organization, steps she hopes will bring funding back, after the money dried up following the investigation into the original group.
Rahiem is among several former CASA staff members who are now unemployed and looking for work, but still volunteering their time to come to the judicial center to help abuse victims, because they say the need is great.
"You always want to (help), because you realize that they need the assistance getting through the judicial process," Rahiem said. "It's not a process that's very easy to maneuver."
To get back on its feet, Rahiem said CASA II will need money, of course, but also volunteers, food, workers to repair the safe house and other items.
"Anything, really. Anything," she said.
But she said the biggest holdup to getting CASA II started now is just paperwork.
