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THE HASLET SIBLINGS NEEDED EACH OTHER
 
When Child Protective Services removed the four Haslet children from their home, all the children had were each other and memories of drug abuse, severe discipline and domestic violence in their home. The four, each under age seven, were bonded by their traumatic circumstances and wanted to go everywhere together.

The children needed structure and love, consistency and nurturing, but they also needed each other. CPS and Dallas CASA worked together for months to find those things in a home willing to take four children.

The Haslet children's Dallas CASA volunteer Lisa knew finding an adoptive home for four children would be challenging, but she also saw the bond they shared and knew they needed to stay together. READ MORE
PARADE OF PLAYHOUSES ENDS ON RECORD-BREAKING NOTE
Dallas CASA board members and spouses at The Closing Party.

Dallas CASA's 21st Parade of Playhouses concluded July 31 after selling more than 15,500 raffle tickets and raising more than $200,000, a record-breaking amount for the signature event.

Winning raffle tickets were drawn for the 15 houses on July 31 and playhouses were delivered the next day to backyards all over Dallas. Since 1996, NorthPark Center has hosted the Dallas CASA Parade of Playhouses, which features custom children's playhouses donated by generous sponsors and builders. Over its history, Parade of Playhouses has become an anticipated event for Dallas residents.

The Closing Party, hosted by the Dallas CASA Young Professionals and Dallas CASA Board of Directors on July 28, celebrated the Parade of Playhouses sponsors and builders with a party held at PIRCH at NorthPark Center.
DALLAS CASA TRAVEL FUND HONORS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Members of Dallas CASA Young Professionals with board member Mark Berg and wife Fran Berg.

When a foster child from Dallas is placed in a distant home, visiting the child becomes more difficult for his or her volunteer advocate. But a new program at Dallas CASA aims to close the gap between far-away kids and the lifeline of their volunteer advocates.

The Dallas CASA Far Away But Not Forgotten pilot program, with initial funding from an anonymous donor, will allow advocates to be reimbursed for pre-approved travel expenses incurred visiting children placed out of the area. Children placed far away are some of the most vulnerable in the system, removed from everything familiar and at risk of falling through the cracks and being forgotten without one consistent person by their sides.

The fund's donor chose to honor the Dallas CASA Young Professionals, a group of 21 to 40 year olds dedicated to supporting Dallas CASA. The auxiliary group has been revitalized in the last two years, with membership growing to almost 200 men and women. The group's mission is to increase awareness of Dallas through charitable events and networking. The Young Professionals host the successful CASAblanca and The Closing Party in addition to networking events.
WELCOME NEW DALLAS CASA VOLUNTEERS
July training class with Associate Judge Alice Rodriguez.

We welcome our new volunteer advocates who have completed training and are ready to serve abused children who need them.

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.

Jennifer Asplund * Katie Barnes * Alexzandria Barrett * Stephanie Brady * Andrew Brisbin * Liz Byrd * Paulette Chukkala * Marie Corral * Mary Ann Dudzinski * Misti Ennis * Karla Florence * Rea Foster * Daria Fritz * Maritsa Gamino * Pam Hanson * Krissy Hicks * Elise Hilgemeier * Allison Hinkle * Makayla Hix * Carrie Hoagenson * Haneef Id-Deen * Leslie Irwin * Courtney Stansbury Johnson * Emily Johnson * Teresa Lisenbe * Pat Manning * Larisa Martirosova * Apryl Mathes * Peggy McCormick * Kim McCullough * Elizabeth McLean * Jessica Morris * Cary Norton * Maria Olvera * Lynette Plaisance * Sandy Postma * Allison Robertson * Erma Saracho * Iris Smith * Benny Stovall * Pat Stovall * Jason Thomas * Tiji Thomas * Katy Tomaszczuk * Nikki Vaghela * Brian Vallone * Amber Vaughan * Amanda Vermillion * Sherial Walker * Caitlin Walters * Cara Winborn * Marsha Wolfe * Kelly Xu * Zainab Yoonas
 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Katie Kane is an attorney, a wife and mother to three young boys. But, she says, being a Dallas CASA volunteer brings rewards her other roles don't. READ MORE
NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY
 
North Texas Giving Day is Sept. 22. On this one special day, a percentage of all funds given to Dallas CASA will be matched by Communities Foundation of Texas. In 2015, Dallas CASA supporters donated more than $80,000 to help recruit, train and supervise more volunteers.
KATS MAKING TRACKS


Registration is now open for KATS Making Tracks, a 5K race hosted by Southern Methodist University's Kappa Alpha Theta chapter, scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. In 2015, the race raised more than $40,000 for Dallas CASA. Hope to see you there!
TICKETS TO STARS GAME

For every $20 donation made by Oct. 17, the Dallas Stars will provide two tickets for Dallas CASA children and volunteers to attend the 7:30 Oct. 25 Stars vs. Jets game at American Airlines Center. For more information, visit HERE.
CHAMPION OF CHILDREN

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. Honorary chairs for the evening are Mrs. Micki Rawlings and Mayor Michael S. Rawlings. 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:

 

* August 26, noon to 1 p.m.

* Sept. 9, noon to 1 p.m.

* Sept. 15, 6 to 7 p.m.

* Sept. 23, noon to 1 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.