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CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.
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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.
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Letter from the Executive Director
Excerpt from
Part Nine of our 12 part-series: A Year in the Life of CASA See this entire entry and previous entries in my
Executive Director Blog
Data Underscores the Need:
Statistics, numbers, trends and projections.
An uphill battle. That is how I often describe reaching our goal of providing a CASA Volunteer for every child in state care. Each year, as the number of volunteers increase, so do the number of children who need an advocate, but at a faster rate.
Our community is a great place to live, and people are realizing that. Our county populations are increasing rapidly. But with growth, we see a sad reality of more children coming into state care.
Over the last three years the number of children served by CASA Volunteers has increased from 466 in 2014 to 497 in 2016. That was an additional 31 children who had the advantage of an advocate both inside the courtroom and out. But, in those same years, the number of children brought into state care because of abuse and neglect increased from 831 to 1,190, an increase of 359 children!
And the future looks even steeper.
Read more about the projected growth for our area in this month's ED Blog here.
To provide the necessary training and support for these volunteers, CASA strives to be a financially sustainable non-profit organization. Next month, read about
Financial Support:
Where and how CASA gets funding to continue serving the community and helping the children.
Thank you,
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Executive Director
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Volunteer Voices
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Sophia Barnard, CASA Volunteer since 2017 |
Why did you decide to become a CASA volunteer? It was breaking my heart to turn on the news night after night and see all these children being harmed. I wanted to do something to help.
What is something surprising that you learned during your training? That the need is sadly, as great as it is.
How are you feeling as you serve on your first case? Excited about the possibility of making a positive difference in a child's life. I am looking forward to
being a part of the solution in getting a child's life back on track.
What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a CASA Volunteer? Follow your heart.
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Become a CASA Volunteer
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Nancy Deckard, CASA Volunteer
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Training courses are ready for you!
September 30 - October 28
Wednesdays
San Marcos
October 11 - November 8
4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursdays
New Braunfels
October 12 - November 9
1 to 5 p.m.
Check out our
calendar for dates and times for the rest of the year and for information on how to get enrolled.
For more information on training courses contact Volunteer Coordinator Samantha Mundine Coleman at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272 or by
email, or click
here
to visit our website.
Training is required for all new Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers.
Our Volunteer Training Course is a 5-class series.
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"What do parents learn in mandated parenting classes?"
On Tuesday, September 5th, CASA Volunteer and respected community member John Manthey led a presentation on what parents learn during court-ordered parenting classes. His presentation was
based on the book, "I'm OK, You're OK" by Thomas A. Harris M.D., one of many curricula offered to parents involved in child protection court cases.
The focus of the presentation was on changing and improving behavior of the adults in the child's life, then improving the child's behavior. Manthey cited Dr. Harris throughout his presentation by noting that we must learn from the past in order to improve the future. CASA Volunteers know that the majority of our children come from a cycle of abuse, neglect and poverty.
Manthey reviewed with advocates the Four Life Positions and how each affects the child and adult.
Other recommended resources from this presentation:
How to Really Love Your Child - D. Ross Campbell M.D.
Positive Discipline - Jane Nelson, Ed. D
The Five Love Languages of Children - Gary Chapman, Ph. D., Ross Campbell, M.D.
Congratulations to door prize drawing winners Melanie Musgraves and Lynette Paris!
CASA of Central Texas Volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually.
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Superheros Unite!
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Jen Sims, CASA of Central Texas Volunteer (and pirate!) from Hays County.
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C
ASA of Central Texas joined the Travis and
Williamson County programs again this year for the annual Superhero Run on September 17th. This year's event included a 5K, Kids 1K, costume contests and activities for the whole family!
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Rowan, Claire and Charlotte Edwards from Hays County.
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Thank you to all our supporters who participated or donated to the 2017 CASA Superhero Run. More than 100 participants were there representing our Central Texas program
from cities including Austin, Buda, Cibolo, Dale, Fischer, Kyle, Dripping Springs, Lockhart, New Braunfels, San Marcos and Wimberley.
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"Voices" Information Sessions
Want to learn more about the role of a CASA Volunteer?
Come to
our
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.
New Braunfels
Wednesday, October 4th, noon
CASA office
San Marcos
Wednesday, October 18th, noon
Historic County Courthouse, 1st floor conference room
Please RSVP to Eloise Hudson by
email
or at 830-626-2272.
Would you like to host a CASA Voices session in your town? Please contact us.
Lunch provided by Fox's Pizza Den in New Braunfels and Chick-fil-A in San Marcos.
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Dancing for CASA
Christian Youth Theater New Braunfels is teaming up with 6 community Stars to host a great night of dinner and entertainment, Dancing with the Stars of New Braunfels, and one of their stars chose CASA of Central Texas as her beneficiary!
Comal County Commissioner Donna Eccleston will be dancing on October 14th at the McKenna Events Center to benefit CYT and CASA of Central Texas.
"Making a difference is very important in the lives of children and CASA does this in a profound way for those most vulnerable," she said
. "They are trusted partners and a voice our judges value. The outcomes for children with CASA Volunteers are so much better, not just as they navigate the court system, but their entire lives."
Donna regularly attends CASA Volunteer Appreciation events, Swearing In ceremonies for new volunteers, and CASA Fundraising events.
"I am so very proud to be a CASA supporter. The CASA Volunteers are an inspiration to me, and lifesavers for the children they serve. I know that children with CASA Volunteers truly have someone in their corner whose sole purpose is their best interests," she said.
CASA is honored Donna chose us and we wish her the best of luck!
CYT is a 501c3 non-profit children's theater program in New Braunfels that provides classes and productions in live theater. To donate to CASA through Donna's fundraising page, click here.
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Support CASA Through Payroll Deduction
State and Federal employees may give to CASA of Central Texas through payroll deductions under the State Employee Charitable Campaign and the Combined Federal Campaign.
State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC)
CASA of Central Texas Code #475017
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
CASA of Central Texas Code #60661
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Show a "Hole Lotta Love" for CASA
Presents
All proceeds benefit CASA of Central Texas
October 30, 2017
River Crossing Golf Club, Spring Branch
11:00AM Tee Time 6:00PM Dinner & Entertainment
Team and Sponsor registration is OPEN!
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ARLY BIRDIE DISCOUNTS: $75 discount for Team and $25 Discount for Individual Players registered by September 30th
Space limited to 40 Teams/120 players - Register NOW!
Register and find details here.
Hole-in-one sponsored by
Birdie Sponsors:
Fast Signs
McKenna Foundation
Perry Homes
Hole Sponsors:
Beautiful Chaos Photography
Comaltex Insurance Agency Inc
Enterprise
Germer Farms
Gunderson Financial Services
Prosperity Private
RRR Reliance Residential Realty
Texias LLC
Utility Engineering Group
More Sponsorships Available:
19th Hole Sponsor $3,500
Eagle Sponsor $3,000
Birdie Sponsor $1,500
Hole Sponsor + team $900
Hole Sponsor $250
Team Registration (3) $675
Individual Registration $250
Special thanks to
 
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It is with great pleasure that CASA of Central Texas is hosting our annual fundraising celebration.
You are invited to CASA and Los Compadres, "Viva Ole"! We truly appreciate your support and hope you join us for this evening to benefit the children in our communities.
We will also honor long-time supporters the San Marcos Lions Club and Comal County Commissioner Eccleston.
Save the date. Online tickets and more information will be available on our
website soon!
Get in early on the great sponsor benefits and recognition!
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Upcoming Events
6th
Voices Tour in New Braunfels
Noon -1 p.m.
CASA office
17th
CASA Superhero Run
7 a.m.
Domain Central Park, Austin
More info click here
Voices Tour in San Marcos
Noon - 1 p.m.
Historic Courthouse
room 101
CASA Volunteer Training Begins - Saturdays
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
October
Voices Tour in New Braunfels
CASA office
More info click here
12th
CASA Volunteer Training Begins
1 - 5 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
Voices Tour in San Marcos
Noon - 1 p.m.
Historic Courthouse
room 101
Hole Lotta Love Golf Tournament
11 a.m.
River Crossing Golf Club, Spring Branch
More info click here
November
CASA Holiday Toy and Gift Drive
Online
More info here
1st
Voices Tour in New Braunfels
Noon -1 p.m.
CASA office
Voices Tour in San Marcos
Noon - 1 p.m.
Historic Courthouse
room 101
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