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ASHLEY WAS BORN ADDICTED TO COCAINE 

 

The cycle of substance abuse has plagued Ashley's family for two generations.

 

Ashley's mother gave birth for the first time before she was 16 years old. She and her mother--Ashley's grandmother--both were addicted to crack. As if the drugs weren't enough of a hurdle, Ashley's mother also has bipolar disorder and often forgets her medication. Her five youngest children have all been removed from her care because of her drug abuse and prostitution to support her longstanding crack habit.

 

Because of her mother's addiction, Ashley was born with crack cocaine in her system. During those early weeks, she suffered from sleeping problems, irritability and an inability to be comforted. She spent five days in the hospital as doctors weaned her off the drug.

 

CASA volunteer Cherie was appointed to Ashley's case. Cherie had a unique perspective on Ashley's life, because she had also served as the CASA volunteer for two of Ashley's older sisters. Cherie helped find a permanent, loving home for them with elderly relatives. When Ashley came into care, Cherie again embraced the CASA role.

 

Ashley's mother didn't pursue any of the services--such as parenting classes and drug rehabilitation--that she needed to help get her daughter back, and she rarely visited Ashley. Cherie knew that Ashley's mother was too caught up in her addiction to care for her daughter. Cherie recognized Ashley needed the stability of a home where she would be protected. Unfortunately, the relatives who cared for her older sisters could not care for Ashley too, but a loving and stable foster family was willing to consider adoption.  

 

Ashley's adoption was completed in February. While babies born with drugs in their system often experience developmental delays, Ashley is thriving thanks to the nurturing care she receives from her adoptive parents. She began walking at 10 months old and is now developmentally ahead of her age group. Today, 18-month-old Ashley is learning to swim and also takes early childhood art and music classes. Ashley's future is brighter thanks to her CASA volunteer Cherie.

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PLAYHOUSE! 

 

Dallas CASA's 18th annual Parade of Playhouses presented by the ORIX Foundation kicks off today! Don't miss it!  

 

Imaginative children's playhouses--17 in all--will be raffled to benefit abused and neglected children. This year's playhouses include a pint-sized replica of Methodist Hospital, a tropical beach house retreat, an outdoor home theater and a miniature stage for the budding young actor. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and may be purchased at the event ticket tables at NorthPark or online at dallascasa.org.

 

This event would not be possible without the support of our builder partners and sponsors. Dallas CASA is pleased to recognize the following for their support of abused children:

 

Playhouse Builders  

 

Ambit Energy; AMX with Southwest Displays & Events; Brayden Homes; Bob Borson with Buford Hawthorne; CEC Electrical, Inc. with Scott & Reid General Contractors; Corgan; Eastern Partners with 505 Ranch, S. Clements Homes and Jeffery Bowers Architecture; Eastern Partners with Villas at Cortina, S. Clements Homes and Jeffery Bowers Architecture; Sarah Fox with AUI Contractors; Katie Friesen with AUI Contractors; Geoforce with Butscher Construction; LRO Residential; Methodist Dallas Medical Center with Anton, Austin Commercial, Lasco, Perkins & Will and Brian Easley; ORIX Foundation with RH Residential Renovations and HKS; Thanh Ho Phuong with Austin Commercial; Henry Roseman, Boy Scout Troop 838 with Peter Goldstein, Foxworth Galbraith and The Home Depot; Winstead with Erin Nicole Parisi and Harper House

 

Sponsors

 

Presenting Sponsor--ORIX Foundation

 

Palace Sponsor--NorthPark Center; Jim and Angela Thompson Foundation;

 

Castle--People Newspapers

 

Mansion--CEC Electrical Inc.; Geoforce, Inc.; Glazer's; Kappa Alpha Theta - Dallas Alumnae; Methodist Dallas Medical Center; Sewell; Winstead PC

 

Chateau--Anonymous, Bob Borson with "Life of an Architect"; Deloitte; Norton Rose Fulbright; Ricoh; Wells Fargo

 

Villa- Bread Winners Caf� & Bakery; Fossil; Guardian Exteriors, Inc.; KPMG LLP; La Duni; Rent-A-Center; TDIndustries; U.S. Bank 

NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Dallas CASA is accepting applications for upcoming volunteer training sessions. The first step toward becoming a CASA volunteer is attending a new volunteer information session. 

 

Upcoming Info Sessions:

 

August 1, 6-7:00 p.m.  

August 16, 12-1:00 p.m. 

August 22, 6-7:00 p.m. 

August 23, 12-1:00 p.m. 

August 29, 6-7:00 p.m. 

 

Register online.  

VOLUNTEER HOURS

16,880 volunteer hours advocating for children in court so far in 2013!

 

Submit volunteer hours

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 serve less than half of the children who need CASA volunteers. You can help. A child is waiting for your voice.

To learn more about helping abused children, please visit dallascasa.org.

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