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GRACIE HAD NEVER VISITED THE DENTIST
 
When 10-year-old Gracie was removed from her home after years of neglect, open drug abuse in her home and sexual abuse by her mother's boyfriend, she had more needs than child welfare workers could count.

But her biggest immediate need was her teeth. In ten years, she had never brushed her teeth. She was in severe pain from tooth decay, had advanced gum disease and needed extensive dental work, including several root canals and tooth extractions.

Her Dallas CASA volunteer, Sarah, got to work as soon as she was assigned to the case, requesting a dental visit just two weeks after Child Protective Services became involved. READ MORE
TEXAS CASA RECRUITING INITIATIVE

Have you seen billboards or heard a radio advertisement seeking more CASA volunteers?

Dallas CASA is participating in a Texas CASA pilot marketing campaign to recruit a volunteer advocate for every foster child who needs one. Dallas was selected as one of four pilot markets due to the urgent need for volunteers in Dallas County. The multi-touch recruitment campaign, entitled "Every child has a chance - it's you," will roll out across the state next year. With almost 2,000 Dallas children left waiting for a volunteer in 2015, Dallas CASA hopes the campaign and our ongoing recruitment efforts bring more volunteers.
COMERICA PROM DRESS DRIVE BENEFITS DALLAS CASA TEENS

Comerica Bank's Prom Dress Drive made dreams come true for foster teen girls.

During two Saturday sessions in March, teen girls in foster care visited the Dallas CASA treehouse transformed into a lovely boutique to shop for their prom dresses.

With gently used dresses, shoes, jewelry and bags donated by the community, girls were able to mix and match their own outfits. Members of Dallas CASA Children's Council helped the girls make selections and try on their finds. Hair, nail and makeup artists volunteered their time to offer girls tips and tricks for making their prom day magical.
GASTON MADE COUPLE DESIGNS CHAIRS FOR CHERISH LUNCHEON
Emily Robinson and Alex McCeight, co-owners of Gaston Made

For Gaston Made co-owners Emily Robinson and Alex McCreight, designing two chairs for Dallas CASA's Cherish the Children luncheon is a natural fit.

Combine two artists who love both woodworking and children, and out comes two beautiful, handmade children's chairs ready to auction. Click HERE to read more about Alex and Emily and the chairs they are designing.

Cherish the Children is at 11 a.m. April 5 at the Omni Dallas Hotel featuring speaker and author Laura McBride, honoree Caroline Rose Hunt and 14 unique chairs ready for auction. For more information or to buy tickets to the luncheon before the April 1 deadline, click HERE.
WELCOME NEW DALLAS CASA VOLUNTEERS
Members of the February training class with Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon 

We welcome our new volunteer advocates who completed training in February.

The following individuals have completed the 30-hour CASA volunteer training course. Many accepted their first volunteer assignment shortly after graduation and are already on their CASA journey, speaking for the best interests of their CASA children. They join more than 900 assigned Dallas CASA volunteer advocates serving the children of Dallas. Congratulations to all our newest volunteer advocates and thank you for your compassion and generosity in volunteering to become advocates for vulnerable child victims.

Maya Bauman * Cathy Bell * Tara Bodman * Betsy Cameron * Julie Cameron * Abby Carter * Kim Colonnetta * Jill Dunn * Christy Fagin * Juliana Fort * Karole Fristensky * Jennifer Griffin * Loretta Gruenes * Rosalinda Guerra * Judith Hollingsworth * April Hyatt * Abigail Jordan * Elnora Kennedy * Jan Klingenberg * Susan LeBlanc * Susan Lynn * Priscilla Mahaffey * Robert Mahaffey * Deborah Mason * David McCalib * Christine Meir * Kate Miner Moebel * Terry Mulloy * Sharla Myers * Toni Najjar * Linda Newman * Beverly Palmer * George Palmer * Sean Parchem * Selene Parker * Patrick Patterson * Shirlene Smith * Linda Stearns * Nancy Theilmann * June Trimble * Maureen Waldie * Charlotte Watson * Sylvia Windham * Michele Woodcock
 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT


An experienced advocate, Pat Stein tells us what brought her to Dallas CASA and what keeps her volunteering after eight families in nine years. READ MORE
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month. Dallas CASA hosts an awareness event, sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Coalition. CASA volunteers, board, children's council and Young Professionals are invited.

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday April 15

Where: Dallas CASA, 2757 Swiss Avenue

What: Child Protective Services staff and others who work in child welfare will be honored. In-N-Out Burgers is donating refreshments.

Who: Emceed by Colleen Coyle, WFAA meteorologist, guest speakers include Madeline McClure, TexProtects CEO; Mike Cantrell, District 2 Dallas County commissioner; Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon of the 305th Juvenile District Court and Kiara Powell, former foster youth from PUSH.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY
Save the date for Dallas CASA's Volunteer Appreciation Party hosted by the Dallas CASA Children's Council. The event will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 12. Invitation with details to follow.
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.

Upcoming CASA volunteer information sessions:

* April 1, noon to 1 p.m.

* April 7, 6 to 7 p.m.

* April 8, noon to 1 p.m.

* April 22, noon to 1 p.m.

* April 28, 6 to 7 p.m.


For session schedules and registration, click HERE.

ABOUT DALLAS CASA

When children 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 three 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, please visit Dallas CASA.

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