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BECAUSE CASA WAS THERE
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 Isaac was removed from his mother's care when he was just a day old. When he was born, the hospital staff suspected his mother was on drugs. A subsequent drug test on Isaac showed he was born with methamphetamine in his system, so Child Protective Services got involved in his life. Isaac's grandmother already had custody of Isaac's big brother, so CPS placed Isaac in the home with his brother. Leslie was appointed as Isaac's CASA volunteer. Everyone involved in the case hoped Isaac's mother might complete the necessary services--parenting classes, drug counseling, and other services--to show she could overcome her addictions. The grandmother hoped her daughter would finally commit to taking care of Isaac. Sadly, things spiraled out of control for this mother who could not seem to overcome her addictive habits. She just stopped trying. As a CASA volunteer, Leslie knew the long term risks for children who are born with drugs or alcohol present in their system. She knew she had to make sure that Isaac's grandmother would commit to caring for him no matter what. When this child could not speak for himself, his CASA volunteer spoke up for him. Leslie formed a positive relationship with the grandmother to allow her to advocate for the best possible outcome for Isaac. The grandmother attended every court hearing and showed the judge and others involved in the case how deeply she cared for her grandsons. Leslie knew that the grandmother wanted the boys to have contact with their mother but not at the expense of their health and well-being. By getting to know the home and family, Leslie was able to confidently recommend that the grandmother be made the permanent guardian for Isaac.
Volunteer advocates like Leslie give children hope for a brighter future. Leslie's consistent present made a difference this child's life because those who made the decisions about his future knew they could count on her to gather any information that could affect the outcome of the case. The baby is now in the best place he could be, safe with his grandmother and his big brother.
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MORE THAN 300 SUPERHEROES RACE FOR CASA
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Superhero 5K participants shortly after crossing the finish line.
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More than 300 superheroes took part in Dallas CASA's first ever Superhero 5K and Family Fun Run on April 14 at Lindsley Park in Dallas.
Every kid needs a hero, but abused kids need superheroes. Because they know that every child has the right to be safe, race participants donned costumes including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and many others and raced to raise awareness and funds so that every abused or neglected child in Dallas County can have a CASA volunteer to advocate for them in court.
Dallas CASA is grateful to the following sponsors for their support of this event:
The Jim and Angela Thompson Foundation, ORIX Foundation, Camp Gladiator, IKON Document Services, RICOH, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Brinker International, My Fit Foods, Taco Joint, 99.5 the Wolf, ORIX Foundation and Run On.
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VICTORIA ROWELL INSPIRES CHERISH THE CHILDREN ATTENDEES
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 | | Commissioner Mike Cantrell, Dr. Anu Partap, actress Victoria Rowell and Judge George West at Cherish the Children. |
The Dallas CASA Children's Council raised more than $100,000 at its fifth annual Cherish the Children luncheon featuring actress and foster youth advocate Victoria Rowell of "The Young and the Restless." A former foster child herself, Rowell shared stories from her memoir, "The Women Who Raised Me," which details her journey through the foster care system and pays tribute to those who made a positive impact on her life.
Luncheon attendees had the opportunity to meet Rowell and purchase autographed copies of her book. "'The Women Who Raised Me' is a quilt, and each woman gave me a piece of herself to sew together, to make me whole," she wrote, acknowledging the many influences from foster mothers, grandmothers, aunts, mentors and teachers who helped her succeed.
"Victoria's unique story helps us remember that every child is full of possibilities...they just need someone to believe in them," said Toni Alles, president of the Kappa Alpha Theta, Dallas Alumnae Chapter, this year's luncheon Honorary Chair.
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Diane Davidson, Cindy Davidson, Amy Wilson and and Angela Thompson at Cherish the Children on April 13.
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The highlight of the annual Cherish the Children fundraising luncheon is the work of local artists and retailers who design and create one-of-a-kind pieces of children's furniture which are then sold at the luncheon to raise funds for CASA.
- $15,000--Ericsson Inc. Special thanks for sponsoring the guest speaker.
- $10,000--ORIX Foundation; James and Angela Thompson Foundation
- $5,000--Karen Carney; The Rosewood Corporation; Lisa and Kenny Troutt
- $2,500--Anonymous Friend; AT&T; Mrs. William O. Braecklein; Lael Brodsky; Margie Francis; Glazer's Distributors; Linda Hardison; Kappa Alpha Theta Dallas Alumnae Chapter; Carmen McCracken McMillan; Cynthia Miller and Phyllis Viola; Talynn Otsuki; Stephen B.L. Penrose; Bob and Kay Schleckser; Robin Smith and Mira Small; Mike and Mary Terry Family Foundation
- $1,000--Anonymous Friends; The Gayden Family Foundation; Carolyn C. Lupton; Elaine Marshall; Janet Baird Quisenberry; Katherine and Eric Reeves; Amy Simmons; Tara and Harvey Stotland; Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Williamson, Jr.; Linda Wimberly
- $500--Margo Goodwin; Anne Hogg; Charles E. Nearburg; Nancy and Rex Spivey; Angela Waggoner
- $250--Jan and Stan Agee; Arkay Foundation/Carolyn Wittenbraker; Kristin Baker; Suzanne Bryan; Pam Busbee; Martha Ann Cates; Perry and John Courville; Nancy and Norman Forson; Judy Gibbs; Sylvia and Ed Gray; Kelley Ledford; Rae Gene Mungioli; Christina Norris; Karla Steinberg; CeCe and Chris Turner; Kristina Whitcomb
- $150--Lyda Akin; Toni Alles; Julie Bagley; Jan Baldwin; Susan Barnett; Lisa Bhattacharya; Deborah Bieritz; Meredith Camp; Marilyn Carey; Christie Carter; Angela Choquette; Holly Church; Joanne Clarke; Donna Cowman; Maureen Croley; M.J. Cunningham; Mary Claire Dahltstrom; Sharmila Dias; Julie Diaz; Commissioner Maurine Dickey; Mrs. Henry Estess; Catherine Feehan; Patti Ann Flowers; Laura Forson; Elizabeth Gambrell; Leigh Anne Haugh; Jerry Hayes; Jennifer Heath; SuAn Hughes; Darcy Lewis; Leah McGaughy; Lauren Maggard; Amy Martinez; Betsy Matheson; Jennifer Motes; Paulette Mueller; Angela Nash; Shari Nelson; Becky Odlozil; Melissa Orth; Paper Thanks; Suzy Pollok; Alyson Ray; Mary Kay Reimer; Christie R. Reniger; Amanda Reynolds; Jenny Reynolds; Beverly Cahill Rice; Katie Robbins; Amy Schisler; Sue Secker; Phyllis Steinhart; Whitney Strauss; Mary Stewart; Lynn W. Van Amburgh; Jamie Whatley; Merina White; Janis Wilbur; Melinda Winn
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CONGRATULATIONS NEW VOLUNTEERS
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Ashley Goddard, Juan Guerrero and Celina Hausman are sworn in as CASA volunteers.
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The following individuals have completed the 30-hour CASA volunteer training course and been sworn in so far in 2012. Many have already accepted their first volunteer assignment and already are speaking up for the best interests of their CASA children. Congratulations to all our newest volunteer advocates, and thank you for your compassion and generosity in volunteering to become advocates for vulnerable child victims.
Laura Bailey * Mary Barnes * Kandy Beckner * Irene Benavides * Monica Bogar * David Brown * Winnie Campagna * Henry Carney * Tracy Cheatham * Michelle Cole * Megan Daniel * Glorias Dixon * Humberto Dominguez * Vanita Easterling * Leigh Ann Ellis * Ashley Goddard * Juan Guerrero * Ann Hambleton * Amy Hartt * Celina Hausman * Danielle Hester * Toni Hill * Ann Marie Hudson * Pam Jordan * Joe Joseph * Stephanie Joseph * Tracy Key * Kathy Kirtley * Lorri Lancashire * Jamie Leach * Kristin Long * Phuong Luong * Barbara Madison * Pat Manning * Crystal Martinez * Barbara McCulloch * Tonya McKinney * Vicki Mitchener * Citlali Molina * Michele Moran * Vanna Ngo * Victoria O'Neal * Darrell Parker *Jana Patrick * Harold Phillips *Roxana Ploski * Kevin Pruitt * Stacy Repult * Monique Rice * Anna Rockwell * Alex Rose * Carolyn Rutkowski * Walter Rutkowski * Scott Salmon * Toni Scott * Nelly Shora * Susan Spalter * Patricia Swim * Brenda Tae * Jae-Do Tae * Gail Thomas * Nikki Trufant-Wade * Melissa Tyra * Liz Wallin * Winifred Walton * Darla Williams * Audrie Woody
 | | New volunteers with The Hon. William Mazur, District Court Judge. |
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VOLUNTEER TIP
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CASA kids who will leave the foster care system at age 18 often need additional help to transition successfully into adulthood. YouthWorks Dallas is a local agency committed to service, employment and redevelopment of underprivileged youth. YouthWorks Dallas is focused on providing help with GED completion, resumes, career preparation and other services for youth who are transitioning out of care. If you have a CASA kid who will soon age out of the foster care system, this organization could be a good resource for your CASA kid. Go to SER-National.org to learn more.
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VOLUNTEER HOURS
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2012 Volunteer Hours: 8,338 advocating for children in court so far this year!
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About Dallas CASA
When kids can't speak for themselves, CASA can.
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 abused 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, less than half of the children who need a CASA volunteer have one. You can help. A child is waiting for your voice.
To learn more about helping abused children, visit dallascasa.org.
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