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REMINDER: GIVE HOPE AND A VOICE TO ABUSED CHILDREN

Remember It's not too late to contribute to the annual fund! If you wish to make your annual gift, please donate now to help abused and neglected children in our community.

 

When abused and neglected children can't speak for themselves, CASA can, and the outcomes are remarkable. Read on to learn how a CASA volunteer advocated for young Ethan to find a forever family on National Adoption Day.

AFTER SUFFERING PHYSICAL ABUSE, ETHAN NEEDED A SPECIAL FAMILY

 

Child Protective Services removed Ethan from his mother's care after someone noticed a number of severe bruises and reported suspected abuse. His mother struggled with a drug problem and could not handle caring for her 4-year-old son. Her attempts at discipline turned to severe abuse, so CPS placed Ethan in foster care. Shontay was assigned as his CASA volunteer.

 

Ethan's foster mom Kendra cares for children who have experienced severe abuse, neglect or abandonment because she can relate in a way that many others can't, having been raised by her grandparents after her mother abandoned her. Because she can understand the struggles faced by these children, Kendra connects with them in a powerful way. 

 

Ethan's paternal grandparents in another state hoped they could adopt him, so he was sent to live with them. However, because of their ages and because of Ethan's serious behavioral issues stemming from the abuse he suffered, the family found it difficult to adjust. Ethan begged to go home to Dallas because he missed Kendra and her family.  

 

Shontay advocated for Ethan to return to Kendra's home, knowing it was the best place for him. Kendra welcomed him back with open arms, and Ethan has flourished in a permanent home with a loving family. Six months later, he was adopted by Kendra on National Adoption Day. He now has a house full of brothers where he knows he belongs.  

 

"I never got a chance to say thank you to Shontay on National Adoption Day," Kendra said. "Ethan didn't want for anything--Shontay was an advocate for his needs from day one. There's no way we would have made it through this process without her." 

DALLAS CASA DIRECTOR HONORED FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE
Beverly surprise party
National CASA CEO Michael Piraino, Beverly Levy, Dallas County Commissioner Mike Cantrell, Dallas County staff Traci Enna 

Dallas CASA board members, volunteers, staff and community leaders honored Executive Director and President Beverly Levy for her 20 years of service to abused and neglected children with a surprise luncheon on Jan. 18. Friends and family gathered to celebrate Levy's unparalleled leadership and dedicated commitment to changing the lives of abused and neglected children in our community.  

 

A passionate advocate for the right of all children to be safe, Beverly has worked tirelessly and courageously on behalf of justice for children. Levy's dedication and vision have developed Dallas CASA, the third oldest of nearly 1,000 CASA agencies in the nation, into a model program for others and a critical part of the child welfare system in Dallas.

 

"Beverly has built Dallas CASA into one of the best agencies of its kind in the United States, not only improving the lives of thousands of children, but also improving the lives of the volunteers, employees and directors who serve alongside her at Dallas CASA," said Mark Berg, Chairman of the Dallas CASA Board of Directors.

 

During her tenure at CASA, Levy has implemented a variety of collaborative strategies that have contributed to making the community a better and safer place for children to live. She has worked with key individuals, social service organizations and child welfare agencies to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children living in the protective care of the courts. 

 

"Because of Beverly's leadership, Dallas CASA volunteers have helped thousands of children find safe, permanent homes," said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. "Thank you, Beverly, and congratulations on 20 years of service to abused and neglected children."

SANTA'S ELVES VISIT CASA

It seemed the holiday gifts just kept coming this past month as a stream of supporters and friends dropped off donations of toys, clothes, games, bikes, gift cards and even diapers for children served by Dallas CASA.

 

Volunteers picked up gifts for their CASA kids at the Dec. 6 Holiday Open House.  

2012 archon xmas
Friends from Goldman Sachs Archon Division delivered a moving truck full of toys, bikes and other gifts to CASA kids. 

Andrews Kurth, Baker Brothers Deli, Celanese, Cinco Natural Resources, Dallas CASA's Children's Council, Deloitte, GeoForce, Goldman Sachs Archon Edition, the Highland Park CASA Club, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Klemchuk Kubasta LLP, LDS Carrollton-Second Ward Young Women, Munsch Hardt Kopf Harr, ORIX USA Corporation, Parmenter Realty, State Farm, VHA and 3i Construction delivered so many delightful gifts that we can confidently say every child served by Dallas CASA received a holiday gift. 

 

2012 hp casa xmas
Student members of the Highland Park High School CASA Club fulfilled the holiday wishes of 120 CASA children.

To all our friends and supporters, thank you for your astounding generosity.

 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
After Suffering Physical Abuse, Ethan Needed a Special Family
Dallas CASA Director Honored for 20 Years of Service
Santa's Elves Visit CASA
VOLUNTEER HOURS

31,895 volunteer hours advocating for children in court in 2012! 

VOLUNTEER TIP

Due to recent national events, many school districts are evaluating policies regarding visits from individuals who aren't affiliated with the schools.

 

As a CASA volunteer, it's important for you to visit your CASA child at school, but additional preparation will be helpful. Before visiting your CASA child, call the school, explain your role and ask about the procedure for arranging a campus visit.  Ask your child's caregiver to call the school and place you on a list of approved visitors. When you visit, make sure to bring your court order, certificate of acceptance, current government-issued identification and your CASA photo-ID badge.

 

Many children do not want peers to know they are in foster care. Use discretion when visiting to help the child maintain privacy. Most importantly, be willing to work within the policies set by the school. If you need help arranging visits, ask your CASA supervisor.

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, Dallas CASA can only serve two out of five children who need CASA volunteers. You can help. A child is waiting for your voice.
 
To learn more about helping abused children, visit dallascasa.org.

CASA and Court Appointed Special Advocates are registered trademarks of the National CASA Association.