Greetings!
As summer is winding down, many of us are getting back to a routine, helping our children prepare for school and completing the last of our summer vacation plans. At CASA, our advocates have spent precious time this summer helping vulnerable children adjust to changes they face as well. Some are happy changes as experienced by two siblings, who have been adopted together, as their CASA advocate shared at our recent Closed Case Luncheon. Other changes are difficult ones, as in a young child removed from an abusive home for the first time. As you read this newsletter, we hope you are inspired by the stories of those taking a stand and making a difference in the fight against child abuse. We invite you to help us make sure that every child in our community has hope for a safe and bright future.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Susan Etheridge
Executive Director |
July Closed Case Luncheon
22 Advocates Assist 47 Children Find Permanency
Each quarter, CASA celebrates the advocates that have assisted children find a permanent and safe home, a process that can take many months or longer. Advocates walk alongside the children for each step of this arduous process that might include weekly family visitations, visits to doctors or counselors, foster care placement and numerous legal proceedings that the child may not even be aware of. The advocates testify in court or provide documentation related to the child's well-being so that the District Judges ruling on their case will keep the child's best interest first and foremost. Last quarter, 22 advocates helped 47 children find permanency. We celebrate the advocates' part in these success stories each quarter to thank them for their service!
Among those advocates celebrating closed cases are:
Ann Rowan-Smith, Joe Sparks, Mary King, CASA Board President, Randy Rolland, Maggy Naggar, Terri Haynes, Leslie Cocke and Janet Jerina.
 Special Thanks to these women from Trinity Presbyterian Church for providing a delicious meal for those in attendance. |
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Summer Fundraisers Held for CASA of Collin County
Over the summer, creative and generous supporters found great ways to raise money for CASA of Collin County. These beneficiary events help us continue to provide the volunteer advocates and casework supervision needed to help vulnerable child abuse victims in our community. It is especially inspiring when children think of others and help raise funds for vulnerable children who need our help.
Here are some great stories about children and adults who think "out of the box" and successfully raise money despite a challenging economy. If you would like to host your own unique fundraiser for CASA, contact Kathy Blank, Development Director at 972-529-2272, ext. 103.
JC Penney Award and Volunteer Support
 Jodi Gibson, Director of Community Relations & Afterschool Programs, center, and Tom Nealon, Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, right, present Susan Etheridge, Executive Director of CASA of Collin County with a generous $25,000 check towards the CASA Capital Campaign.
 Along with this financial donation, the IT Department is volunteering in an ambitious project to paint and landscape the outdoor playground at the new CASA offices as well as paint a mural in the indoor visitation room. The first group of volunteers came on August 7th to begin the volunteer project. Stay tuned for our September newsletter to receive updates on their progress!  Susan Etheridge and Susie Addison take time to thank JC Penney IT Department Representatives, Lisa Smith, Field Operation Specialist, and Karen Carter, Director of Technology Infrastructure, who have spent many hours behind the scenes in order to coordinate their department's amazing support of CASA - Thank you, JC Penney!
  Gleneagles Gators Swim for a Cause!On July 1st, the children of Gleneagles Country Club's swim team completed a swimathon to support CASA of Collin County as well as the Club Corp Employee Partner Care Foundation. The team gathered pledges and swam laps and raised $1,311.50 for CASA of Collin County!
Presley Baker (9) is all smiles after she swam 40 laps, raising $170 for charity.
 Emerson Process ManagementDan Owen, VP of Finance, presents Susan Etheridge, Executive Director, with a generous check to CASA of Collin County. Emerson is a faithful community supporter of CASA's efforts each year!
Primrose Schools proudly support CASA Each year, Primrose Schools host fundraisers so their children and their families can help raise money to support CASA children in need in our community. This year the following schools participated and raised $12,827.00! Thank you to the children, families and staff of Primrose Schools of Stone Brooke, Breckenridge Park, Bent Trail, and Eldorado!
 Primrose Schools Representatives, pictured with a presentation check, decorated by Primrose children are, from left, Susan Etheridge and Susie Addison of CASA, Leslie Milliser of Primrose of Eldorado, Michelle Flores of Primrose of Bent Trail, Wendy Ghattas of Primrose of Stone Brooke, Kathy Blank of CASA and Marti Davis the owner of all three locations.
 Kiwanis Club of McKinney The Kiwanis Club of McKinney supports CASA events and raise funds to help fund our vital work. Kathy Blank and Susie Addison were presented a recent donation this past month by Kiwanis President, Lori Bhargava. |
 Welcome to the CASA Family
Dianne McCall, Program Director, welcomes our newest Casework Supervisor, Parvathi Sivaraman, who replaces Jaime Carter who has left the staff to stay home with her children.
Parvathi recently shared, "After being involved with CASA for around 2 yrs as a volunteer and staff member in California, I am very excited to become a member of CASA of Collin County. Having my daughter, Lasyaa, last year has helped me realize, even more, the importance of the work we do. It gives me great satisfaction in being able to do something meaningful that will have tangible impact on the lives of the children."
 Angie, Austin and Madelyn Colemen welcomed a new baby into their family! Dillon Coleman was born on Tuesday, August 4th!
Angie is a CASA Casework Supervisor and will enjoy spending time with Dillon and Madelyn during her maternity leave!
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 Neiman Marcus: Top Ten Women of Collin County
Diane Chester, CASA of Collin County Board Member and Immediate Past President, was chosen as one of the Top Ten Women of Collin County. She will be honored at an exclusive luncheon on August 20, 2009.
Read more about this special honor as mentioned in Sandra Fay's recent column in the Dallas Morning News. |
Barrett honored by Collin County  Commissioner's Court
Virginia Barrett, in center holding County Proclamation, was recognized at the July 16, 2009 Collin County Commissioner's Court for being named 2008 CASA Advocate of the Year by Texas CASA. She is congratulated by, from left, County Commissioner Kathy Ward, CASA Casework Supervisor, Erica Baig, County Commissioner Joe Jaynes, CASA Executive Director, Susan Etheridge, CASA Program Director, Dianne McCall and CASA Development Director, Kathy Blank. Click to view the video clip of the presentation. | |
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Our Mission is to train community volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children involved in the court system so that each child is placed into a safe, loving home where he or she can thrive.
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Summertime Safety for Children |
Hot Cars: Did you know that on average, 37 children across the country die each year from vehicle related hyperthermia caused when children are left unattended in hot cars? Avonda Fox lost her son, Jacob, when he was accidentally left in a hot day care van in 2006 in Pleasant Grove. With the help of State Sen. Florence Shapiro, Jacob's Law will go into effect in September, which will require day care workers involved in transporting children to complete two hours of transportation safety training each year. Below are resources to make sure this preventable tragedy does not happen to any other child! DMN: Mom fights to prevent heat deaths: July 26, 2009
Water Safety: Adults can never be too careful about water safety. Read these articles to ensure you are doing everything possible to keep kids safe near water.
In Collin County, from 2001-2008, there were 9 child deaths due to drowning: 3 in the bathtub 1 in a lake 4 in a swimming pool 1 unknown drowning.
In Collin County 2009, there have already been 5 child deaths due to drowning!
2 in a lake
1 in a hot tub
2 in a swimming pool.
In each case, the death was reviewed by the Collin County Child Fatality Review Team.
Info provided by:
Sue Schultz, LPC, LMFT
Collin County Child Fatality Review Team Coordinator
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| Show your support for Texas children through the Lone Star Proud for Kids license plate. CASA of Collin County will receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plates to Collin County residents. Use your credit card to reserve your plate, available ONLY through the Texas CASA website.
Looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of child abuse victims in our community? Your financial support is especially needed now! To find out how your gift can help, please Donate Now! |
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Summer Wish List
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| During a challenging economy, in-kind donations are a great way to support CASA.
Your donations of items on our wish list will help us reduce expenses and ensure that more of our dollars can go directly to the training of our advocates and the important work of our casework supervisors as they assist vulnerable children each step of their journey towards a safe home and healing.
- Kitchen trash bags
- Paper towels
- Tissue boxes
- Dinner napkins
- Ziploc bags/all sizes
- Copy paper
- File folders
- General office supplies (legal pads, pens, pencils, etc.)
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CASA in the News |
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Save the Date:
Hoorah for Hollywood Voice for Children Gala to benefit CASA of Collin County
Sat., March 6, 2010
Hotel Intercontinental
Addison, TX
Sponsorships
available now! |
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Purchase a Commemorative Brick to Show Your Support for CASA of Collin County
For a donation of $250 for a 4x8 brick or $1,000 for a 12x12 brick, you can have an inscribed brick in memory or honor of a loved one placed on the front walkway of our new offices.
Board members, Mark Carswell, Randy Rolland, Jeanean Weaver, Cheryl Buckles, Susan Etheridge (Executive Director), Dani Smith, Diane Chester, Gina Lester and Yvonne Thompson helped install bricks during their Board Retreat on July 25th.
For further information on ordering your brick, contact Kathy Blank, Development Director at 972-529-2272 ext. 103. | |
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