CASA Up Close
CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.


     Welcome to another edition of CASA Up Close Monthly. Please feel free to contact CASA for more information about anything you read. And, as always, thank you for your continued support.
Letter from the Executive Director

     As we start 2015, I want to take a moment to say thank you for your support of CASA in 2014. Because of you, 466 children had the powerful voice of a CASA volunteer to speak up for them in the courtroom, in schools and in our community. This is 45 more children than last year! 

    
     We were blessed with 244 dedicated CASA volunteers who were active last year and we helped close 78 cases for 165 children!

   

     Of the 165 children whose cases closed, the number of reunifications with family members is one that should be highlighted. 134 of the children we worked with found permanency with their parents or relatives:  


*  81 of the children were reunified with their parents
53 were adopted by or now live permanently with relatives
18 were adopted by new families
13 reached independent living (turned 18 years old)  

   
     Even though we made great achievements in 2014, we must work even harder in 2015 to reach our goal of providing a CASA Volunteer to every child in State care. For every child that has a CASA volunteer, he or she is more likely to find a safe, permanent home, get more help while in the system, and spend less time in state-funded foster care. 

 

     If you're already a volunteer, please consider joining the Community Outreach Team and help us recruit more volunteers.  

    
     If you aren't already a volunteer advocate, consider becoming one. The first step is to complete an application and schedule a pre-training interview. More information can be found here.  

 

     If becoming a CASA volunteer isn't a fit for you, you can still help by getting the word out about CASA. Invite one of our representatives to speak to your organization or invite your friends to a Voices Tour information session. 

 

     We will work hard in 2015 to come closer to our goal of providing a CASA to every child in State care. We hope you will support us in this mission.

Thank you,
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Volunteer Voices
LaVerne Johnson, CASA volunteer since 2007.


     "I had first heard of CASA in the Valley when I was still teaching, but did not have time to devote. After I retired, there was a front page newspaper story and picture that 'spoke' to me and I called."

 

     "There have been times when judges or attorneys or case workers changed and CASA was the unifying factor. On those occasions, I provided important details and clarified key points."


     "I have never regretted the time and energy I devote to my cases. I always feel a quiet satisfaction and pride in the new forever families that I help form."

Voices Tour Information SessionsVoices

Want to learn more about the role of a CASA Volunteer? Come to our
ribbon  one-hour information session and hear how our volunteers advocate for children who have been abused and neglected.   

 
CASA staff and
volunteers will be on hand to share their stories and answer your questions. 

 

Voices Tours

 

New Braunfels 

CASA office

First Wednesday of each month - Noon  

 

San Marcos 

CASA office 

Second Wednesday of each month - Noon

 

Schertz 
GVEC Community Room
Tuesday, March 17th - Noon

 

Seguin

GVEC Community Room
Thursday, March 19th - Noon 

 

Please RSVP to Eloise Hudson by email or at 830-626-2272.   

 

Lunch provided by Fox's Pizza Den in New Braunfels and Chick-fil-A in San Marcos.  
CASA in the Keys 

Put on your tropical shirts and grass skirts as CASA of Central Texas "heads down Route 1 to the Islands." Join us as we celebrate three decades of advocating for abused and neglected children in Central Texas! 

April 10, 2015
6:30 p.m.

Wurstfest Stelzenhaus
New Braunfels

Purchase tickets here
Sponsorship information here 

 

Thank you to our sponsors!   

Mariposa at Hunter Road Apartments 

McKenna Foundation 

Robin and David Pfeifer 

Tomblin Family Foundation (2) 

Whataburger  Keys
Welcome New Advocates 


     The last class of 2014 was sworn in at our Holiday Mixer on December 12. 

(l-r): Maneka Brooks of Hays County, Dianna Price of Hays County,
Sara Hughes of Comal County, Meghan Taylor of Hays County, Karyn Myers of Hays County, Judge Melissa McClenahan, Mary Marek of Guadalupe County, John Nixon of Guadalupe County, Rick Jones of Comal County, Jennifer Polcyn of Guadalupe County, Ray Jacobson of Hays County, Ren Liner of Hays County and Bill Morton of Comal County.
Become a CASA Volunteer
Bob Williams, CASA of Central Texas Advocate since 2010.


Upcoming Trainings:


Saturdays

8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 28th through March 28th

New Braunfels office   

Training sessions will also begin the following weeks:

 

Week of March 2

Week of April 26

Week of June 21

Week of August 9
Times and locations TBA

 

     To learn more about training sessions, contact Training Coordinator Debbie Haynes at 512-392-3578 or by email.

     For more information on becoming a volunteer, click here.Training
Kronkosky Birthday Gift
L-R: Kronkosky CF Grants Manager Tom Maguire, CASA Executive Director Norma Castilla-Blackwell and Kronkosky CF Managing Director J. Tullos Wells.


     The Kronkosky Charitable Foundation

surprised CASA of Central Texas with a very special gift last month. Each year the Foundation makes an unsolicited, unrestricted $50,000 grant in honor of each of their founders on their birthdays.

 

     Born on December 13th, Bessie Mae Kronkosky led a full life of philanthropy supporting numerous worthy causes in a four-county area. CASA Executive Director Norma Castilla-Blackwell thanks the Kronkosky Foundation for believing in the CASA mission and supporting our volunteers. With this gift, CASA will move closer to providing a trained CASA volunteer for every abused and neglected child in Comal County. This is the first time we are recipients of this birthday gift and we are very, very thankful!

CASA Day at the Capitol Feb. 12Capitol

     The 2015 CASA Day at the Capitol is geared up to be bigger and better than ever! Hundreds of CASA advocates from all over the state will attend appointments at the legislative offices to spread the word about CASA and talk about bills that will be helping the abused and neglected children from their districts.

 

     We want CASA of Central Texas Advocates to be a part of this great event! 

 

     To attend or for more information, please contact Eloise Hudson at 830-626-2272 or by email
Challenge Complete

     From May through November last year you heard about progress being made in CASA of Central Texas' first-ever endowment campaign. We are so happy to report that our goal to raise $25,000 was achieved - 100% and more! This fundraising goal was established to meet a challenge put before us by the McKenna Foundation. It also helped us complete a remaining element of our 2009-2014 strategic plan. As a result of achieving this goal, the Foundation donated to CASA a matching gift of $25,000, making the initial opening fund balance just over $50,000. Our endowment fund is held at the New Braunfels Area Community Foundation. Thank you all for your help in starting this new fund that helps CASA of Central Texas begin building a long-lasting revenue stream as interest and earnings may be used to support our operations and the principal will remain intact.

     Going forward, gifts may continue to be designated to the endowment fund to further help the fund grow. This is a giving opportunity that you may wish to pursue by naming CASA of Central Texas in your will, as a beneficiary to a life insurance plan, or as part of your annual giving plan. There are many options to consider for your planned giving. Please call CASA Development Director Tricia Schneider, 830-626-2272, to discuss your plans, ask questions or request more information.

Advocate Appreciation Holiday Mixer 

     CASA honored all Central Texas Advocates at our annual Holiday Mixer on December 12 at the Price Center in San Marcos.
Advocates from Hays County with Child Protection Court Judge Melissa McClenahan.
 
Guadalupe County Advocate Gillian Siemens with Judge McClenahan.
Caldwell County Advocate Rosa Hernandez with Judge McClenahan.
Comal County Advocates with Judge McClenahan.
Holiday Gift Drive Helps 250 children 
    
     This year community members donated gifts and gift cards so that more than 250 children and youth would receive something special from CASA during the holidays. Thank you to all of our CASA volunteers who worked hard to turn in gift requests and then deliver the gifts during December.
 
     Thank you also to everyone who donated and helped make the holidays special for these children.
2014 Holiday Gift Drive participants:

     Amanda Swafford, Amanda Tooker, Annette and Jim Berry, Ashley Byrnes, Ashley and Tamara Duke-Matthews, Brad and Yvonne Smith, Buda United Methodist Church, Cathy and Everett Dodson, Cathy and Wayne Vrba, Cindy Tucker, Cody Randall and Darbie Walker, Dana Ritchie, Dee Bartlett, Diana Price, Diana and Carlos Ruiz, Diana Vazquez, Everett Dodson, Gentiva Hospice, GE Oil & Gas, Gin and Mike Hudson, Guadalupe County FSA, Ibex Global Ivey Family, Jan Ashford, Jerret Swierc, Kay Lynch, Keeffe Family, Kelly Aurthur, Kyle/Buda PeeWees, Linda Schlather, Lisa Layva, Lonnette and Patrick LaBorde, Margaret Koranek, Margot and Robert Brown, Mary Eisenberg, Meagan Day, Monica Sanchez, New Braunfels Prestige Auto Detailing, New Braunfels Girl Scouts, Northeast Bible Church, Patricia McCaleb, Pan American Golf Association, Sam Gonzales, Shelby Flournoy, Sheri Seward, Stacy Long, Society of Women Engineers at Texas State, Stacy and Darrell Long, St. Thomas Catholic Church, Student Volunteer Connection, Suzanne Williams, Taylor Polanco, Tech Ridge Dental, Texas Home Systems, Texas State Women's Soccer Club, The Wing Society, Timothy Trigo, and the Tomblin Family Foundation.
Be a Part of Online Givingonlinegiving

CASA of Central Texas is excited to be participating in Amplify Austin and The Big Give San Antonio this year.

 

 

Amplify Austin is a community-wide day of online giving with the goal of raising $7 million for nonprofits in 24 hours.  

 

Amplify Austin 

March 5-6 

https://amplifyatx.ilivehereigivehere.org/
Schedule your gift to CASA today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2nd Annual Big Give San Antonio is an online giving day  dedicated to raising funds and awareness for nonprofits throughout South Central Texas, including Comal and Guadalupe County.

 

The Big Give San Antonio
May 5
https://www.thebiggivesa.org/  

Thank You to Our Supporters

Former Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson (left) presented CASA Executive Director Norma Castilla-Blackwell with funds from the General Land Office's annual chili tasting.
Volunteer Continuing Education
Advocates Sharon Skrocki and Greg Golian were the giveaway winners of the evening.


     On January 27th, CASA volunteers learned about The THRU project as part of our Continuing Education series.

     The THRU project was founded in 2011 in San Antonio in order to help foster children who have aged out of foster care.  The program provides these youth with mentor advisors that help guide them while they navigate life outside of the system. The THRU project works closely with PAL services in San Antonio in order to get children referred and matched with an adult mentor.


Next Continuing Education
February 24th, 5:30 p.m.
Family Violence and Stalking
Click here for more information

Volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually
January 2015
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Upcoming Events



February

4th 
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
11th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
12th
CASA Day at the Capitol
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Austin
19th
Community Outreach Team Meeting
Noon - 1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


24th
Continuing Education
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Hays-Caldwell Women's Center
28th
CASA Volunteer Training
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
March

2nd
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here


4th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


5th-6th

Amplify Austin
6 p.m. - 6 p.m.
More info click here


11th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


17th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
Schertz GVEC Community Room
More info click here


19th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
Seguin GVEC Community Room
More info click here




April

Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

1st
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


8th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


10th
CASA in the Keys
6:30 - 11 p.m.
Wurstfest grounds
More info click here


26th
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here




May

6th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


5th
Big Give S.A.
12 a.m.
More info click here


13th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


22nd
Chick-fil-A Cow Classic
7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Quail Creek San Marcos
More info click here




June

3rd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


10th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


16th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
Schertz GVEC Community Room
More info click here


18th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
Seguin GVEC Community Room
More info click here


21st
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here




July

1st
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


8th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here




August

5th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


9th
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here


12th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here




September

2nd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


9th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


11th
Guadalupe County Fundraiser
6:30 - 10 p.m.
Big Red Barn
More info click here


15th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
Schertz GVEC Community Room
More info click here


17th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
Seguin GVEC Community Room
More info click here




October

7th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


14th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here




November

5th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


12th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here




December

3rd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


10th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here

CASA Of Central Texas Inc.
www.casacentex.org
830-626-2272