A nautical-themed playhouse, designed by LRO Residential, will be auctioned at dallascasa.org.

Dallas CASA is again privileged to have the generous support of ORIX USA Corporation, presenting sponsors of 2011 ORIX Parade of Playhouses at NorthPark Center Aug. 5-21.

This year's event will feature a record 19 custom-designed children's playhouses which will be raffled to raise funds to support the work of Dallas CASA. In addition to the 19 raffle houses, one very special playhouse, a nautical-themed dream house designed by LRO Residential, will be auctioned off instead of raffled. Bids for this playhouse may be made online at dallascasa.org beginning Aug. 5.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and may be purchased at NorthPark Center or at dallascasa.org. The prize drawing and auction winner announcement will take place during the closing ceremony at NorthPark at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21. Winners do not need to be present to win.

This year's lineup of playhouses includes an art studio, a pint-sized bed and breakfast, a train engine, an airplane and a Dallas Mavericks-themed house.

"Parade of Playhouses is an important opportunity not only to give children a chance to win an amazing playhouse, but also to help connect abused children in our community to the safe, loving homes they deserve," ORIX USA President and CEO Jim Thompson said. "ORIX is proud to join Dallas CASA in standing up our most vulnerable children, those who have been abused and neglected."

Through sales of raffle tickets, sponsorships and underwriting, Parade of Playhouses highlights the work of CASA volunteers and highlights the need for more advocates for children whose simple wish is a safe, permanent home.

"Parade of Playhouses helps us to spread the word about the 2,000 abused and neglected children who right now can't go home because it isn't safe," said Dallas CASA Executive Director Beverly Levy. "By buying a raffle ticket for one of these playhouses, you are giving abused children the chance to find real, safe homes where they can thrive."

For more information, to bid on the auction playhouse or to purchase raffle tickets, go to dallascasa.org.

CASA volunteers are often the only constant during a frightening, uncertain time in a child's life.

Alyssa came into foster care because her mother, Marbrie, was unable to care for her because of drug abuse.Mabrie suggested that Child Protective Services consider sending Alyssa to live with a family friend named Ellen, who was delighted to provide a home for Alyssa.

Ellen wanted to adopt Alyssa, but the process was delayed repeatedly.  To help the process run more efficiently, a judge appointed Sally Drayer as Alyssa's CASA volunteer.

Sally immediately began advocating for the adoption to move forward by checking in with everyone involved with the case to ensure that paperwork and court proceedings were filed and scheduled. Halfway through the case, Sally learned that Alyssa had two older half siblings who had recently been removed from their home because of drug use by their father. Sally was appointed to advocate for these children as well.

When Ellen learned that Alyssa had half siblings living in foster care, Ellen told Sally that she had a relative who might be interested in adopting Alyssa's siblings. Ellen hoped that by connecting CPS with her relative, a committed, nurturing parent, the children might end up in the same extended family. After meeting with the family, CPS and CASA agreed that the children should be placed with the relative. In their new home, the older children immediately began receiving help to overcome their developmental delays. They are now doing well and get to see their sister Alyssa often.

Although their biological parents weren't able to care for them safely, these three children ultimately found homes that allow them to remain connected to each other for the rest of their lives. At the final court hearing consummating their adoption, the children drew pictures for the judge thanking him for choosing the right families. It's clear they are safe and happy now.

Dallas CASA Supervisor Honorio Barrientos appears on Univision's "Vive la Manana" morning show to discuss the need for bilingual volunteers.

National CASA has partnered with Dallas firm La Grant Communications to help raise awareness in minority communities about the need for African-American and Hispanic volunteers to advocate for abused children.

Thanks to La Grant and National CASA, Dallas CASA had the unique opportunity to work with the local Univision affiliate to spread the word about the need for bilingual Spanish-speaking volunteer advocates.

Univision invited CASA representative Honorio Barrientos to be interviewed on its morning show, "Vive la Mañana," about the plight of abused children and the role of CASA in advocating for children in protective care. Univision also invited five CASA volunteers to participate in a phone drive. Univision viewers had the opportunity to call in with their questions about volunteering for Dallas CASA. More than 75 viewers called to ask questions and request more information about volunteering for CASA.

Univision's coverage of CASA helped raise awareness about the need for bilingual Spanish-speaking volunteers to advocate for children who come from exclusively Spanish-speaking families. Outcomes for Hispanic children in CPS care are more successful if language barriers are eliminated so that everyone involved understands the proceedings of each case. Dallas CASA often has to turn away cases involving Spanish-speaking families because there simply aren't enough bilingual volunteers available to serve them.

Thank you to National CASA, Univision and La Grant for this opportunity. Thank you to Honorio and our volunteers, Diana Barcenas, Joe Benero, Gil Marmol, Stella Lopez and Ana Maria Rush for the time they spent talking with Univision viewers about Dallas CASA.

Children's Council members Mary-Elizabeth Carrell, Christie Carter, Suzanne Bryan and Carmen McMillan at Cherish the Children, the Council's spring luncheon.

Dallas CASA's Children's Council exists to help raise awareness in our community about the plight of abused children and to support the work of CASA volunteers who serve these child victims.

Founded in 2006 by a small group of Dallas CASA supporters, the council has grown to include more than 200 active members. Since 2008, the Council has hosted a spring benefit luncheon called Cherish the Children. This year, the council began providing extra help for children who are living in protective care by organizing an email blast system through which volunteers can request help to address any emergency needs of their CASA kids.

Among the needs the council has met are bunk beds for kinship caregivers to be able to care for children, money to provide bicycles to children in care and even funding for strollers or baby items. 

Beds, cribs, strollers, sheets and other basic necessities seem to be the most common needs. Often, something as simple as a bed allows a family member to become a permanent caregiver for a child in care allowing that child to remain in his or her family rather than being placed in foster care. It's a tremendous gift to a child who has lost everything familiar.

For information on how to join the Dallas CASA Children's Council, email Sara at srockey@dallascasa.org.  

Mark your calendar for North Texas Giving Day, Thursday, Sept. 15 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Communities Foundation of Texas will provide a cash gift for every donation of at least $25 made through DonorBridge. Each gift also will be matched dollar for dollar by a generous Dallas CASA supporter. Last year, more donors contributed to Dallas CASA than to any other organization, garnering an additional $10,000 from DonorBridge. 

Mark your calendars to have your gift doubled on Sept. 15, and check out donorbridgetx.org for more information on North Texas Giving Day. 

Archon Group L.P.'s summer interns will host a car wash for donations benefiting Dallas CASA from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 5 at Highland Baptist Church, 8202 Boedeker Drive in Dallas. Those who donate at least $10 will receive a raffle ticket for the playhouse of their choice. The interns also will be stuffing backpacks with school supplies and making cards for CASA children ages 5-12. Thank you to Archon's summer interns for their dedication to helping CASA kids.   

Find an up-to-date list of continuing education opportunities on the 

Continuing Education page of the Dallas CASA Web site. Remember to complete 12 hours of continuing education each year.

Dallas CASA volunteers in June gave approximately 2,342 hours serving abused and neglected children. Thank you to every volunteer who gave their time and energy to serve our children.