The CASA Advocate - Jan 2010 Issue

Greetings!

Together, over the past year, we have accomplished so much that allows us to serve our children better. Generous capital campaign donors helped CASA raise over $846,326 which is 81% of our $1.2 million capital project to purchase and renovate new offices. We moved from a 3,500 sq. ft. rented space into our own 6,500 sq. ft. building at 101 E. Davis Street in McKinney on February 28th, 2009. Now each of our program and administrative staff have private offices that allow us to work better and support the needs of our children and CASA volunteers in a more professional and confidential manner. In our former offices, we placed a privacy screen in our foyer for parent visitation. Now, CASA has two beautiful child visitations spaces- an inside visitation room and an outdoor play yard that provides a child friendly area for supervised parental visitation. Volunteers are trained in a beautiful conference room that accommodates 30 people instead of a small cramped room.

We've grown our Board of Directors providing oversight and support for the vital work done at CASA. CASA has an exceptional staff of 11 dedicated professionals, who work tirelessly to support vulnerable children whose voice is now heard in the courts. Our fundraising efforts have weathered the economic challenges of the year. We have been working closely with Texas CASA regarding changes that need to be made in the child welfare system and hope that Texas' track record will improve so that we will no longer lead the nation in child deaths due to abuse and neglect.

Thanks to our faithful volunteers, supporters and donors, CASA of Collin County continues to be able to serve each and every child in Collin County that has entered the foster care system due to severe abuse or neglect. You have helped us provide hope and a brighter future for these young victims as they receive the support and compassion provided by their very own CASA advocate. What difference does this make? It is proven in studies that children in the state welfare system that have their own CASA receive more services and find their "forever home" more quickly than those without a CASA. Thankfully, your support truly does change the path of the future for these children!

We hope you will join us in 2010 as we continue the fight against child abuse and Speak up for a Child!

Susan Etheridge
Executive Director

Agency News

Volunteer Training Starts January 16th

Have you thought about becoming a CASA volunteer? Our next class will be held beginning on Saturday, January 16th. To learn more about how you can be a voice for a child in need, email Dianne McCall or visit our website.

Whole Foods Community Giving Day for CASA!
Start your New Year with healthy eating by shopping at Whole Foods Plano Store on Tuesday, January 12th and Whole Foods will donate 5% of the day's net sales to CASA! CASA representatives will be in the store from 10 a.m. -7 p.m. to greet you and answer questions about how you can get more involved with CASA in 2010! Tell your family and friends!

January 12, 2010
8 a.m. -10:00 p.m.
Whole Foods Plano Store
2201 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75093

For more information, visit our website.

It's time to make your plans to attend the March 6, 2010 Voice for Children Gala "Hooray for Hollywood". Gala Chair, Jenni Tran, and Co-chair, Cheryl Buckles appreciate those who have already stepped forward to provide generous sponsorships for CASA of Collin County's largest single fundraiser of the year. Invitations will be mailed within the next two weeks. You can purchase your tickets now, using our online ticket sales available by selecting the link from the homepage of our website. Gather your friends and purchase a table for 10 in support of Collin County children!

Collin County Bench Bar Foundation

The 2010 Voice for Children Gala Committee is pleased to announce The Collin County Bench*Bar Foundation as the honoree for this year's Gala. Collin County Bench*Bar Foundation is a nonprofit organization created in 1997 by our local judges and attorneys to promote justice, encourage education and enhance our community. As an organization committed to the legal rights of our citizens, they have supported child abuse victims in many ways, including National Adoption Day, which has celebrated the adoption of over 100 Collin County children in the foster care system. The Collin County Bench*Bar Foundation are close partners with CASA through the District Courts as Judges preside over civil cases for children in the child welfare system and appoint CASA as the Guardian Ad Litem in 100 % of these cases.

The Voice for Children Gala committee is currently soliciting corporate and individual sponsorships, as well as live auction and silent auction items. Those interested in sponsorship level recognition, pre-Gala patron event invitations and priority seating, may contact Kathy Blank, Development Director at 972-529-2272.

For a look at sponsorship levels, download our Sponsorship Packet and select one of the levels that are still available. Sponsorships secured by January 4, 2010 will be included in the Voice for Children Gala invitation that will be mailed later in January.

To make a donation of live and silent auction items please contact Diane Chester at 214-460-5005 or Laura Stengle at 214-693-6191. Or you may download our Auction Donation Form and fax it to the CASA office at 972-529-2275 or mail it in at the address listed on the form.

Donor Highlights