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DAMON NEEDED A MALE ROLE MODEL
 
Damon, 16, never had a role model.

After a childhood of neglect by his drug-addicted mother, Damon was placed in several foster placements that broke down one after another as he acted out. He wasn't used to attending school regularly, doing chores or sitting down to family meals. Damon was moved to a therapeutic foster home for teenage boys that could help him understand his behavior and offer more structure.

But what Damon found he needed most in life was a role model. He needed someone to show him how a young man should treat others and conduct himself. He needed someone to model getting a job and goal-setting. He needed a guide to show him the kind of man he wanted to be. READ MORE
PARADE OF PLAYHOUSES MOVING INTO NORTHPARK FRIDAY
Parade of Playhouses
LRO Residential's Kids Cottage under construction.

Dallas CASA's Parade of Playhouses brings whimsical, custom children's playhouses into NorthPark Center to raise funds for abused children from July 15 to 31.

Presented by Crest Cadillac / Crest Infiniti and hosted by NorthPark Center, the 21st annual Parade of Playhouses has been Dallas CASA's signature fundraising and community awareness event since 1996. This year's playhouses are designed, built and donated by architects, builders, organizations and corporations. Some of the unique playhouse themes include an African adventure campsite, a mountain-shaped house with climbing walls on both the inside and outside and a house shaped like a block of cheese.

During the 17-day event, raffle tickets for the opportunity to win a playhouse are sold online and at ticket tables throughout NorthPark Center. All proceeds from sponsorships and raffle ticket sales benefit the abused children served by Dallas CASA. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20, and the raffle drawing will be held July 31.
ATTORNEYS GROUP RAISES $210,000 FOR DALLAS CASA
Gloria Campos, Kathleen LaValle, Cortland Kelly Grynwald, Steve Pemberton, Kara Altenbaumer-Price and Cynt Marshall at the ASC luncheon.

Steve Pemberton, a corporate executive for Walgreens, told attendees at the June 10 Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC) luncheon that despite a childhood of abuse, neglect and deprivation, he always knew he had the power in himself to rise above. He just needed one person to believe in him.

"If the headlines bother you, give from wherever you are with whatever you have," Pemberton said. "I'm one small example of what's possible when you give somebody a chance in the world."

ASC annually selects a beneficiary for a year of fundraising efforts. The luncheon, held at the Hilton Anatole Dallas with 900 seats, was the culminating event. The group raised more than $210,000 for Dallas CASA. ASC event co-chairs were Cortland Kelly Grynwald and Kara Altenbaumer-Price. Honorary chair was Cynt Marshall, Dallas CASA board member and senior vice president of human resources at AT&T, and Gloria Campos served as mistress of ceremonies. Attendees were so moved by stories conveyed by Marshall and Pemberton that donations on the day of the event reached a record-breaking $45,000.
WELCOME NEW DALLAS CASA VOLUNTEERS
June training class with Associate Judge Alice Rodriguez.

We welcome our new volunteer advocates who have completed training and begun the swearing-in process.

The following individuals have completed the 30-hour CASA volunteer training course. 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.

Trudy Brocke * Angela Calvert * Cheryl Carter * Brittany Chance * Eliza Cotner * Madge Cruse * Drew Dixon * Jeff Fritts * Kathleen Gigl * Vanessa Jimenez * Patricia Johnston * Rachel King * Audrey McNabb * Pamela Mortis * Rochelle Nkumba * Pauline O'Bryan * Annette Owen * Jackie Pendleton * Kathryn Qualls * Hayley Ray * Jennifer Self * Kesli Shepherd * Jessilyn Thiboult * Amber Torres * Matthew Vermillion
 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
An advocate since 2012, Maritza Garcia finds speaking Spanish with families opens cultural barriers as well as language barriers. READ MORE
VISIT DALLAS CASA'S BLOG
Dallas CASA has a brand-new blog, and we invite you to follow along as we explore issues related to child welfare, child abuse prevention and effective advocacy.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Dallas CASA Young Professionals is hosting an information session for members to learn more about becoming a volunteer advocate from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14 at Dallas CASA. Contact Michelle Stephenson for more information.

Help Dallas CASA recruit more male advocates. Invite a friend to Mi CASA Su CASA Men's night 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. Email Sarah Crowder for more information.

KATS Making Tracks, a 5K race hosted by Southern Methodist University's Kappa Alpha Theta chapter, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Hope to see you there!

Dallas CASA's Champion of Children award dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at The Fairmont Dallas. Featuring speaker Antwone Fisher, the dinner will honor NorthPark Center with the prestigious Judge Barefoot Sanders Champion of Children Award. Sponsorship opportunities are now available.
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:

* July 21, 6 to 7 p.m.

* July 29, noon to 1 p.m.

* August 4, 6 to 7 p.m.

* August 12, noon to 1 p.m.

* August 18, 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 2,700 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, two out of five abused children in protective care are waiting for a CASA voice in court. You can help. A child is waiting for you.

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.