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CLAUDIA NEEDED HELP TO CONFRONT HER ABUSER IN COURT

 

Until age 10, Claudia rarely attended school. She slept in the family's car, begged for money, witnessed horrific domestic violence and ultimately, was sexually assaulted by her mother's boyfriend.

 

Her childhood was a tangled web of instability, violence and chaos. After she told another family member what was happening, Child Protective Services removed Claudia and placed her in a foster home. When Claudia arrived there, she didn't even have pajamas - she had always slept in her clothes. READ MORE

FORMER DALLAS CASA YOUTH RETURNS AS VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE
Judge Andrea Martin, volunteer advocate Larry Dolan and Sky Harrison at Sky's swearing-in Aug. 20.

Sky Harrison's childhood stint in foster care left a lasting desire in her to make a difference. "I want people to know just because you were born into a certain situation doesn't mean you're not going to amount to anything," she said. "It doesn't mean you're bad or your future is going to be bad."

The person Sky remembers making a significant impact in her life was Larry Dolan, her Dallas CASA volunteer. So when Sky went looking for her way to give back, Dallas CASA was her first stop. After completing 30 hours of training this summer, Sky was sworn in as a volunteer advocate, with Larry Dolan by her side again, making her Dallas CASA's first former child to return as a sworn advocate.

Sky's motivation is helping children like her. READ MORE
KAPPA ALPHA THETA ALUMNAE LUNCH BENEFITS DALLAS CASA
Kappa Alpha Theta Dallas Alumnae's Heart to Heart luncheon and fashion show Sept. 24 benefited Dallas CASA.

The Dallas Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae chapter's 6th annual Heart to Heart luncheon and fashion show was held Sept. 24 at Brook Hollow Golf Club.

The fashion show featured designs by Kira Plastinina, a Southern Methodist University graduate, Kappa Alpha Theta alumna and fashion designer. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the chapter's foundation and Dallas CASA.
NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY: DALLAS CASA THANKS YOU
Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, Dallas CASA received 320 gifts totaling $80,414 on North Texas Giving Day.
It costs Dallas CASA $2,129 a year to provide a volunteer advocate to help an abused child grow up in a safe, permanent home. Your support this year funds our ability to provide a volunteer advocate to help 37 abused children. That means that 37 children will have a volunteer advocate who will be there for them during an uncertain, frightening time. You made a difference and Dallas CASA thanks you.
                                             
HARMAN'S TICKETS BENEFIT DALLAS CASA VOLUNTEERS
Dallas CASA volunteers Nancy and Walt Marston received concert tickets from Jeff Kindig, HARMAN.

Nancy and Walt Marston, both volunteer advocates for Dallas CASA, attended the Sept. 18 Garth Brooks' concert courtesy of HARMAN, who donated the tickets in support of Dallas CASA's work on behalf of abused and neglected children.

Over the past six years, Nancy has served as an advocate on eight cases involving 13 children. This summer, husband Walt joined Nancy as an advocate after completing 30 hours of training and being sworn in by the court.  "HARMAN is proud to show our appreciation to volunteers like the Marstons who provide advocacy and support for children in need," said Jeff Kindig, HARMAN Professional Solutions Global Marketing - Creative Services Group. "Nancy and Walt are terrific examples of how committed people in our community can help others."

Parents to three grown children, the Marstons are natural advocates, says their supervisor Tina Roth. "The way Nancy forms relationships with everyone involved is amazing," Tina said. "From CPS to guardians to therapists, everyone comes to rely on her. She's always looking out for the best interests of the children. And now to see them work together helping children is just amazing."
2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Dallas CASA's 2014 annual report is available. A year of change and growth, 2014 reflects Dallas CASA's active and involved volunteer base and the community's passion for helping Dallas' most vulnerable children.


For more information, click HERE.

CASA ANGELS
Each year generous donors providegifts at the holidays to the children served by Dallas CASA. In 2014, more than 1,400 children received gifts through our Angel Tree program. We project needing gifts for 1,800 children in 2015 and are seeking businesses, professional organizations and groups willing to pledge a specific number of gifts. For more information, click HERE.
VOLUNTEER  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 protective care in Dallas by 2019.

Upcoming CASA volunteer information sessions: 

* 12 to 1 p.m., Oct. 9

* 6 to 7 p.m., Oct. 22

* 12 to 1 pm., Oct. 30

* 12 to 1 p.m., Nov. 13

For session schedule and registration, click HERE.

KATS MAKING TRACKS 5K

Join Southern Methodist University's Kappa Alpha Theta chapter on Sunday, Nov. 1 for the annual KATS Making Tracks 5K, a race benefiting Dallas CASA. A one-mile fun run begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K race begins at 9 a.m. The course runs through the SMU campus, beginning and ending at Moody Coliseum. To register, click HERE.
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.