IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GIVE TO THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
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For more than 30 years, Dallas CASA has trained community volunteers to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. Our volunteers help make sure that abused children find safe, permanent homes where they can thrive.
We need your help to continue to provide these caring advocates to serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children. It's not too late to make your gift to Dallas CASA's annual campaign. A gift to the annual fund makes it possible to recruit, train and supervise even more volunteers who make sure every child's voice is heard. Please go to dallascasa.org to make your tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.
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GENEROUS COMMUNITY BRINGS GIFTS FOR CASA KIDS
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Hundreds of gifts were delivered to the Dallas CASA office, and dozens of toys, bicycles, games and clothing items were distributed to volunteers who will make sure each child receives a special gift on Christmas morning.
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Employees of the Archon Group delivered a huge truck filled with toys for CASA children.
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For many of the children CASA serves, the gifts provided by generous friends and supporters may be the only gifts received this holiday season. Many children may be living with foster families or relatives who are limited in their ability to provide gifts, so gifts given by CASA supporters allow each family to create a Christmas memory for each child. Others may be living in residential treatment centers where a special visit from a CASA volunteer bringing a gift may well be the highlight of their holiday.
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Gifts for children delivered by State Farm Insurance Dallas Central Agency.
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"Because of the outpouring of heart and spirit from our friends in the community, our CASA children will have gifts under the tree again this year," Program Director Mary Timmons said.
The following organizations and companies provided generous support to allow CASA children to receive special gifts this holiday season:
- Andrews Kurth LLP
- Archon Group
- Baker Brothers
- Celanese
- Dimont & Associates
- Samantha Durst
- The Endodontic Group, Inc. with Betsy Hemmingson
- Richard and Tiffany Frank
- Invenio Marketing Group
- Northwood Woman's Club
- State Farm Insurance
Thank you to our compassionate friends who gave so generously to create a great memory for each child.
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DALLAS COUNTY FAMILIES CELEBRATE NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY
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 | | Quinn, a former foster youth, was adopted on his 18th birthday. |
The scene at a courthouse is normally not a happy one, but Nov. 19 was a day of jubilation for dozens of Dallas County families. A total of 61 Dallas County children permanently left the foster care system and were adopted on National Adoption Day, traditionally held the last Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Many children who enter foster care do return home safely, but for a child who can't go home, adoption provides a safe, permanent and loving family. The goal of National Adoption Day is to eliminate the delays faced by many children awaiting adoption. To achieve that goal, judges open the courthouse on a Saturday and bring in community volunteers for a day of finalizing adoptions.
Dallas CASA's Children's Council coordinates Dallas Adoption Day events along with the courts, Child Protective Services, the Dallas County Sheriff's Department, Commissioner's Court and District Clerk's office. The Commissioner's Court also issued a resolution denoting Nov. 19 as National Adoption Day and recognizing those who make it possible.
"It was a momentous day in the lives of many families," said Linda Swartz, a CASA volunteer and Children's Council member who coordinated the Dallas Adoption Day celebration. "To see so many children who have waited so long to find safe, permanent homes finally be adopted into their forever families is just such an incredible thing. As a CASA advocate there is nothing better than knowing a child is safe and loved."
In recognition of the judges, county employees, businesses and organizations that make National Adoption Day possible, the Dallas County Commissioners Court issued a resolution at its Nov. 29 meeting. A variety of community businesses and organizations were recognized for supporting the event, including the Archon Group, Brinker International, the Dallas Professional Photographers Association, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Northwood Woman's Club and Safe Kids Dallas Area Coalition.
Since 2000, when National Adoption Day was officially launched,more than 35,000 children nationwide have been adopted on this very special Saturday in November. More than 375 National Adoption Day celebrations take place across the country each year.
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BECAUSE CASA WAS THERE
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 | | Marian and Stephanie were CASA volunteers for three children who were adopted on National Adoption Day. |
Elizabeth, Maria and Bradley were brought to an emergency shelter after the death of their mother. Alone and afraid, the three children came under the protection of the courts. Marian and Stephanie were appointed as their CASA volunteers.
Marian and Stephanie immediately began working on a way to connect with the children and build trust--they tracked down a neighbor who had taken in the family dog. They brought the beloved pet to the first visit bringing a familiar comfort to three children who had just lost so much.
"We took the dog with us to that first meeting and went to dinner and to a park so they could play with their dog," Stephanie said. "It was a great ice breaker for us and helped us build trust with the children."
When their uncle lost his job, the couple determined they could no longer care for the children and asked Child Protective Services to place them in foster care. Marian and Stephanie were there to take them to their new foster home and provide comfort for them as they transitioned yet again.
Though it was an adjustment for them to be moved from their aunt and uncle's house, the children rebounded quickly and came to believe they had found their permanent home. Stephanie and Marian took all their wishes into consideration and recommended that the children be adopted by their foster family. Elizabeth, Maria and Bradley were adopted on National Adoption Day in November.
"It was just so amazing to help them find a new family," Marian said. "To see those kids with both a great mom and a great dad made every step along the way worth it."
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE CASA FAMILY
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Dallas CASA hosted the annual holiday open house and party for our volunteers. CASA volunteers picked up gifts for their children, and CASA staff members showed their appreciation for the work of our volunteers throughout the year. Below are a few snapshots from the event. Thank you to everyone who attended for making it a wonderful evening! Happy Holidays from the CASA family!
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Rena Tatum (center) picks up gifts with two foster parents.
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Volunteers Lisa Gilbert, Alicia Wagoner, Joy Horn and Julie Irsch
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Volunteer Amy Ashcraft, supervisor Melissa Clenney and volunteer Linda Wade
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VOLUNTEER TIP
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If you have difficulties keeping in contact with a caseworker, check with your CASA supervisor and ask for help reaching the caseworker or CPS supervisors. It's important to keep the lines of communication open in the event of an emergency situation. Let the caseworker know you are there to help, not create extra work for them.
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VOLUNTEER HOURS
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Dallas CASA volunteers in November gave approximately 2,350 hours serving abused and neglected children. Thank you to every volunteer who gave their time and energy to serve our children.
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About Dallas CASA
Dallas CASA is a nonprofit organization of community volunteers who serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers are trained and supervised to advocate for the best interests of children
in protective care
and to make recommendations that help judges decide what is best for each child. A CASA volunteer is often the one constant during a frightening, uncertain time in a child's life.
Sadly, we are able to help less than half of the children in Dallas who need a CASA voice in court.
You can help. A child is waiting for your voice.
To learn more about advocating for abused children, call 214-827-9603 ext. 228 or visit dallascasa.org.
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