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Up To Date

Abused As A Child, Kansas City Woman Tells Her Story To Help Others

By Steve Kraske,
Danie Alexander
Published April 8, 2021 at 9:51 PM CDT
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A young blonde-haired girl looks directly at the camera over the railing in the courtroom. Behind her adults are at the bench talking with a judge.
Marc Carter
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Courtesy of Jackson County CASA
Since 1983, the Jackson County, Missouri, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program has been providing guardian ad litem (legal advocacy) services for abused and neglected children and youth, birth to age 21 who enter the Jackson County Family Court system.

Debbie Bass hopes her story will inspire others to support or become advocates for children in conditions like those she experienced.

Debbie Bass survived her childhood due to her own determination and the help she got from adults outside of her family. She vowed that if she survived she would become a foster parent, volunteer and donate to causes to help other children. She's done that, partly through her longtime association with the Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program.

  • Debbie Bass, vice president of development for the National World War I Museum and Memorial

Debbie Bass will be the featured speaker at the "Light of Hope" virtual breakfast on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at 7:30 a.m. to benefit Jackson County CASA. More details and reservation information are available at the CASA website.

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Up To Date PodcastCASAchild abusechildrenJackson County
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Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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Danie Alexander
As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.
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