
‘Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month’ Observed in Sedalia, Pettis County
On Monday morning at 9 a.m., Sedalia Mayor Dawson signed a proclamation recognizing the month of February as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month” in Sedalia.
Joining him were staff from CASA and Children's Division. Accepting the signed proclamation from Mayor Dawson was Amanda Gaspard, Director of Operations for CASA.
Also attending the brief ceremony was “Charm” the CASA Therapy Dog.
In the Municipal photo: (in no certain order) Jacqueline Willis, Gabrielle Hernandez and Sara Bass, CSW Children’s Division; Annette Smith, Prevention Children’s Division; Aliza Owens, AC Supervisor, Children’s Division; Jennifer Eckhoff, Investigative Supervisor, Children’s Division; Marci Wiliams, Circuit Manager, Children’s Division; Rayvin Welch, CASA Hotline & Case Management Specialist; Sedalia Mayor Andrew Dawson; Amanda Gaspard, CASA Director of Operations; Joylynn Allard, LPC, NCC, Therapist; CASA Board Chairman Turf Martin; Larry Parham, Community Interaction Deputy, Pettis County Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s difficult to raise awareness of teen dating violence, especially amongst the teens, because a lot of the relationships that are portrayed throughout music, movies and TV shows are actually not as healthy as they think they are. And a lot of times, it is very hard for them to come forward when they feel like something is wrong, because a lot of their friends find it acceptable, so it’s hard for them to find somebody to talk to,” said Gaspard about the situation.
And on Monday morning at 10:30, the Pettis County Commission presented a proclamation to Citizens Against Spouse Abuse (CASA), proclaiming February 2025 as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month” in Pettis County.
The Commission (Israel Baeza, Bill Taylor and Mark Edwards) urged “all citizens to support and engage in activities and initiatives that promote safe, healthy relationships for teens in our community.”
In the Pettis County photo: left to right: CASA Board Chairman Turf Martin, CASA Hotline and Case Management Specialist Rayvin Welch, CASA Court Advocate Bridgett Peek, CASA Housing and Outreach Coordinator McKenzie Tichenor, Eastern Commissioner Israel Baeza, Presiding Commissioner Bill Taylor, CASA Director of Facility and Client Services Amanda Gaspard, CASA Therapy Dog Charm, CASA Therapist Joylynn Allard, Western Commissioner Mark Edwards, and Pettis County Sheriff's Office Community Interaction Deputy Larry Parham.
More From AM 1050 KSIS








