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DAVID NEEDED A FATHER FIGURE

 

David's mother was killed by her methamphetamine dealer when he was 15 months old. From then on, the only parent he knew was his father, David Sr. 

 

But when David Jr. was nine, his father, too, started using methamphetamine. His father soon lost his job and his place to live, and then he lost his son to the custody of Child Protective Services. David Jr. was placed in foster care with a family he didn't know. READ MORE

CHAMPION OF CHILDREN AWARD DINNER HONORS AT&T
Jana and Mike Brosin, Ashley Rhodes-Courter, Randall Stephenson, Gloria Campos, Kathleen LaValle and Greg May at the Champion of Children Award Dinner.

Speaking at Dallas CASA's Champion of Children Award Dinner, Ashley Rhodes-Courter recounted the 13 different homes she lived in during her decade in foster care in Florida and South Carolina. She changed schools twice a year until seventh grade and endured beatings, extraordinary punishments, emotional abuse and deprivation.

But ultimately her message to the crowd of 550 attendees at The Fairmont Dallas was one of hope and encouragement. One CASA volunteer changed her life, leading to her adoption, a college degree and the happy, meaningful life she had always dreamed of. READ MORE
QUILTERS DELIVER 1000TH QUILT BENEFITING DALLAS CASA KIDS

The idea came to Joyce Gregory at a quilting retreat. What if she could combine her quilting skills with her desire to help children in need? What if a quilt could provide comfort to an abused or neglected child?

Now, five years later, the quilters of First United Methodist Church Duncanville have delivered their 1,000th quilt to Dallas CASA. READ MORE
THETA 5K BENEFITS DALLAS CASA

KATS Making Tracks, a 5K race hosted by Southern Methodist University's Kappa Alpha Theta chapter Nov. 1, raised more than $41,000 for Dallas CASA.

The race, which began and ended at Moody Coliseum on SMU's campus, had SMU runners as well as many volunteers and staff from Dallas CASA. The run is the chapter's largest philanthropic event, with almost 500 people supporting the run.
DALLAS CASA VOLUNTEERS NAMED AWARD FINALISTS
Dallas CASA is proud of three volunteers who have recently been named community award finalists for their contributions to Dallas CASA. They are:
  • Jana Clemans was named a finalist for The Community Champion Award given by the CORE24 Admin Awards for her contributions of time and talent to the annual Dallas CASA Classic golf tournament.
  • Jenny Reynolds, Dallas CASA Children's Council president and a volunteer advocate, was named one of five finalists for the Good Works Under 40 award given by The Dallas Foundation.

The award winners will be announced at events in November.

WELCOME NEW CASA VOLUNTEERS
The September evening class was sworn in by Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon.

Two classes of new volunteers recently completed training and swearing-in ceremonies. These new advocates are ready to give voices to children in need.

Karen Abonza * Corey Anthony * Debbie Beneke * Angelia Bishop * Janet Blackwell * Minoo Blaesche * Rebecca Boger * Brie Callahan * Tania Calva-Villavozo * Mary Duke * Matthew Garcia * Zeyla Gonzalez * Ashleigh Goyer * Chelsea Gray * Loujeanne Guye * Regan Hackett * Lillie Harmon * Bridgette Henry * Amanda Herman * Jennifer Hudson * Ronicka Jones * Scott Kirchhoff * Christie Latimer * Lester Lazaurdo * Diana Lehboub * Nakisha Lewis * Susanna Lewis * Marlene Manzanilla * Kenneth Marshall * Sandra Obasohan * Jade Owens * Stephanie Page * Chris Percy * Aparna Pillay * Kenny Radfar * Dottie Schweinfurth * Randi Spencer * John Stafford * Taylor Teague * Lisa Tenorio * Carol Thompson * Kaitlin Ubele * Ruthie Umberger * Megan Whitledge * Erica Zamora

Dallas CASA's pilot flex training class was sworn in by Judge Andrea Martin.
 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT


Carrie Stauffer spent three entire days wrapping Christmas presents last year. By the end, almost half of her living room was crowded with presents for boys and girls young and old. And then she gave every gift to her Dallas CASA children, hand-delivering each and every gift far and wide.

"Being an advocate isn't about me - it's about the children," she said. "I can get irritated, frustrated or sad about what they've been through or the process, but then I remember it's not about me." READ MORE

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Dallas CASA's Young Professionals is a vibrant group of volunteers who serve as an outreach, volunteer and fundraising arm of Dallas CASA. Founded in 2009, Young Professionals provides charitable and social opportunities for people ages 21 to 40. The group's fall happy hour is 6 to 8 p.m., Nov. 11 at Eureka!, 3700 McKinney Ave. #126. To RSVP for the event, click HERE.


For more information on joining Dallas CASA's Young Professionals, click HERE.

CHILDREN'S COUNCIL

The Dallas CASA Children's Council, founded in 2006, is the principal volunteer support group for Dallas CASA. The group raises funds through special events and promotes community awareness about the needs of the children Dallas CASA serves. This holiday season, the group is hosting a volunteer appreciation party for Dallas CASA volunteers Dec. 10. Volunteers, look for your invitation soon.


For more information on Children's Council, click HERE.

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.

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 who needs us.

Upcoming CASA volunteer information sessions: 

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

* 6 to 7 p.m., Nov. 19

* 12 to 1 pm., Dec. 4

* 12 to 1 p.m., Dec. 11

* 6 to 7 p.m., Dec. 17

For session schedule and registration, click HERE.

NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY

National Adoption Day is Saturday, Nov. 21. The annual event is a special day when judges open their courtrooms and expedite adoptions for children who have been living in protective care.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Advocates must complete 12 hours of continuing education each year. Child Abuse Grand Rounds at Children's Health are offered monthly and are a way to earn hours.
 
What: "Scalds, Splashes and Spills: Pediatric Burn Injuries"
 
When 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Nov. 6
 
Where: Independence Room at Children's Health Specialty Center, 2350 N. Stemmons Freeway
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.