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FOR 12 YEARS, ELENA KNEW ONLY ABUSE AND ABANDONMENT

 

For 12 years of life, Elena knew only abuse and molestation, confusion and abandonment, conflict and anger. But when Dallas CASA advocate Karen took on Elena's challenging and complex case, something changed for both of them.

 

"She's just an amazing young lady with what it takes to overcome her past," Karen said. "She's been through more than any child should ever have to go through, but from the get go I saw something in this young lady that was so resilient, so willing to talk and be open. She moved me." READ MORE.


DALLAS CASA CLASSIC NETS $1.5 MILLION

Dallas CASA Executive Director and President Kathleen LaValle received a check for $1.5 million following the Dallas CASA Classic golf tournament.

Pioneer Natural Resources, Goldman Sachs and AT&T joined forces April 20 to host the Dallas CASA Classic golf tournament. In one day of golf, the three hosts raised $1.5 million to help abused and neglected children in Dallas.

 

Funding from the golf tournament allows Dallas CASA to train more volunteer advocates to serve the needs of abused and neglected children in protective care. "The three host companies bring the strong commitment of their leadership, contributing their resources and dedicating so many hours of employee support to the success of this annual event," said Kathleen LaValle, Dallas CASA executive director and president. "They share our frustration that nearly half of Dallas children who were in foster care last year did not have a volunteer advocate." READ MORE

 

WELCOME NEW CASA VOLUNTEERS 
The April 2015 training class was sworn in by Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon.

 

Congratulations to the 22 committed individuals who completed the Dallas CASA training class in April, allowing them to give a voice to children in need.

 

This group will soon be assigned to cases involving children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.They will serve as voices for children during a frightening, uncertain time, making a critical impact on their lives.

 

Anthonia Azubogu * Cathy Birkelbach * Shauna Bowman * 
Hilda Brewer * Kimberly Carnes * Kristen Cimorelli * Peggy Coleman * 
Beverly Dorsey * Kristin Emerson * Ron Eubanks * Mary Gonzales * 
Elizabeth Hernandez * Katherene Hough * LaShan LaGuan * 
Coleman Lewis * Wendy Marceron * Lauren May * Lori McQuilkin * 
Peggy Moulden * Christine Murphy * Michael Murphy * Kelvin Nunley
Denis Olsovsky * Lydia Prilutskiy * Stephen Punch * Mayra Rangel *
Kersten Rettig * Miriam Rollins * Finn Simmensen * Yolanda Simmensen *
Mary Strange * Carol Trimmer * Sara Tunnell * Lauren Valelly * Chidinma Ward *

 

 

To see February and March volunteers, CLICK HERE.

 

CHERISH THE CHILDREN LUNCHEON

Ashley Rhodes-Courter spoke to 375 attendees at the Cherish the Children Luncheon.

  

Ashley Rhodes-Courter can speak with authority on the difference one CASA advocate can make in the life of one child in protective custody.

 

She may have a masters in social work, may be a published author and may even be both an adoptive and foster parent, but her real authority is born of personal tragedy. Removed from her home after her single teenage mother was arrested, Rhodes-Courter bounced from foster home to foster home for almost a decade with only a small bag of possessions to call her own.

Speaking to 375 Cherish the Children lunch attendees at the Dallas Country Club May 7, Rhodes-Courter credited one CASA advocate, who discovered her living with 15 other children in a two-bedroom mobile home, with saving both her childhood and her life. READ MORE.

CHERISH THE CHILDREN PATRON PARTY

In nine minutes, artist Leoma Lovegrove created a piece of art for the Cherish the Children Luncheon.

Florida artist Leoma Lovegrove brought her brand of expressionist, colorful art to the Cherish the Children Patron Party, held at Dallas CASA April 20 for underwriters and supporters of the Cherish the Children luncheon.

Her painting, entitled "CASA Angels," was created during nine lively minutes at the party. Prints of the painting were sold at the Cherish the Children luncheon, and the painting was included in the luncheon auction.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY
CASA supervisor Margaret Wright and volunteers Audrea Lemons, Sydney Allen and Cathy Birkelbach attended Dallas CASA's volunteer appreciation party.

Thank you to Becky and Jim Lozier, who hosted the April 30 volunteer appreciation party for volunteers, board members and staff, in their home.

With members of the Children's Council on hand preparing and serving food, staff and volunteers mingled with board members, who expressed thanks and appreciation for every volunteer and their service to help abused and neglected children in Dallas.

VOLUNTEER TIP

Advocates are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education a year, but did you know you can complete those hours in downtime sitting at court? Reading 100 pages of a book counts as one hour of continuing education.

 

For a list of suggested books, visit HERE.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The 20th anniversary Parade of Playhouses, presented by ORIX Foundation, will be July 10 to 26 at NorthPark Center. 

 

For more information, visit HERE.

CASA INFO SESSIONS

Spread the word about Dallas CASA to help abused and neglected children. Tell your friends, family and colleagues how they can become volunteer advocates and help us achieve our goal of serving every child in Dallas by 2019.

Upcoming CASA volunteer information sessions:
* 6 to 7 p.m., May 21 
* 12 to 1 p.m., May 29

* 6 to 7 p.m., June 4

12 to 1 p.m., June 5

* 12 to 1 p.m., June 19

For session schedule and registration, visit HERE.

IN THE NEWS

Dallas CASA has been making headlines lately.

ABOUT DALLAS CASA

When kids can't speak for themselves, CASA can.
 

On an average day in Dallas County, more than 2,000 abused and neglected children live in foster care because they cannot live safely at home. These children need powerful voices to speak for them. Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a non-profit organization of volunteers who are voices for abused children in court. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in protective care.


Sadly, Dallas CASA can only serve about 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 Dallas CASA.

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