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March 2014
| CASA Up Close
Monthly
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Welcome to another edition of CASA Up Close Monthly. Below you will find information about our supporters, upcoming events, training opportunities and more. 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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CASA of Central Texas |
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Mission
CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.
Vision Every child has the right to a safe, nurturing, permanent home.
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| Letter from the Executive Director
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Go Blue in April
April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and agencies will promote the month with the color blue. What does it mean to "Go Blue" in April? For me, it is about not letting the issue of child abuse be ignored. It is a topic not talked about enough until it makes headlines when it involves tragedy. In April, I want the color blue to stand for something positive - communities showing that we will work together to protect our children. Our local Counties and Cities will commit to the fight against child abuse by signing their own proclamations recognizing the month. I encourage anyone who can attend their local signing to do so. See the calendar below for dates and times of proclamations in your community. As an individual, I ask you to think how you can recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Wear the blue child abuse prevention bracelet, invite CASA to come speak to your church group, participate in our Blue Ribbon Fun Run, attend Family Court one morning to observe and understand how abuse is occurring in your own community, or talk to your children about being nice to the new kid in class who has just joined them after being placed in a foster home because they were no longer safe in their own. As a business owner, celebrate the month by asking your employees to wear blue on Fridays, announce the month on your marquee, invite a CASA representative to speak to your employees, or decorate your office with blue ribbons. Although April brings child abuse to light, we need to remember that our children are being abused all months of the year. Our dedicated volunteers here at CASA recognize this and work year round to protect these children. It is fitting to me that this month we will also celebrate these great people during National Volunteer Week, April 6 - 12. This April, take a stand, speak your voice and Go Blue.
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
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| Upcoming Volunteer Trainings
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Make a Difference in the life of a child,
become a CASA Volunteer
Help us get the word out about these trainings! If you know someone who would make a great
CASA volunteer, please share these training dates.
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Jeannette Sheridan, CASA of Central Texas Advocate since 2003
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Trainings are held in both our San Marcos and New Braunfels offices.
The next training sessions will begin the week of May 12th.
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. |
| Welcome New Volunteer
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Ready to Speak Up for a Child Sworn in on March 7th Toni Urban of Comal County.
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| Upcoming Information Sessions
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| Lynette Barker, CASA of Central Texas Advocate since 2009
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CASA can also
bring these information sessions to you, just give us a call! Please RSVP to Ali Wilkinson by email or at 830-626-2272.
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You are Invited to a CASA Voices Tour
Learn about CASA and the work our advocates are doing in the community. Join us on one of these upcoming dates - at a location near you - for a one-hour "virtual" tour of our mission. Open to everyone, bring your friends, family and colleagues and we will provide lunch! New Braunfels-CASA office Wednesday, April 2nd - Noon San Marcos-CASA office
Wednesday, April 9th - Noon
Schertz-GVEC Community Room
908 Curtiss Ave. Thursday, April 10th, Noon Seguin-GVEC Community Room 927 N. Hwy 46 Thursday, April 17th, noon
Lunch provided by Fox's Pizza Den in New Braunfels
and Chick-fil-A in San Marcos.
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| Volunteer Voices
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Advocate Suzette Molina Aguirre
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Special Experience "One of the most meaningful, rewarding experiences that I have ever had. I got so much more back than I ever gave to these two special sisters."
"I recommend getting involved with CASA to anyone that is looking for purpose and meaning in their lives. You can't even imagine the impact you make each and every day!"
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| Go Blue in April
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April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month Local government officials will read proclamations throughout the month, officially recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Community members are invited to attend these proclamations to show your support.
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County Judge Tom Bonn (third from left) and Commissioners proclaimed April 2014 to be Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in Caldwell County.
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2014 Proclamation Schedule
3/24
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Caldwell County
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9 am
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Scott Annex
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4/1
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City of Lockhart
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6:30 pm
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City Hall
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4/1
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Hays County
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9 am
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County Courthouse
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4/1
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City of Kyle
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7 pm
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City Hall
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4/3
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Village of Wimberley
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6 pm
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City Hall
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4/15
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City of San Marcos
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4 pm
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City Hall
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4/3
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Comal County
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8:30 am
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County Courthouse
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4/2
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City of Garden Ridge
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6 pm
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Council Chambers
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4/14
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City of New Braunfels
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6 pm
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Council Chambers
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4/8
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Guadalupe County
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10 am
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County Justice Center
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4/1
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City of Schertz
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6 pm
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City Hall
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4/7
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City of Seguin
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10 am
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City Hall
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4/8
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City of Cibolo
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7 pm
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City Hall
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| Step Right Up
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Under the Big Top
CASA Carnival for a Cause
CASA of Central Texas invites you to a carnival-themed evening of fun and entertainment, including dinner, silent & live auctions, carnival acts and live music.
Honoring |
The Honorable Todd Blomerth
421st Judicial District
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The Honorable Jack Robison
207th Judicial District
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Friday, April 4th, 2014
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Texas Old Town - Tejas Hall1205 Roland LaneKyle, TX
Individual tickets are $75 and $125 a couple.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Sponsorships available for $2500, $1200 and $750.
Contact CASA if you would like to sponsor this event. Big Top Sponsors: ChickTime Tomblin Family Foundation Midway Sponsors: Broadway Bank/Board Member/Chris Owens Guadalupe Regional Medical Center Mariposa Apartment Homes San Marcos Lions Club San Marcos Reinvestments Carousel Sponsors: Airforce Turbine Service Board Member/Kathy Dial Board Member/Carolyn & Renil Liner Germer Farms/Board Member/JoAnne Germer RBFCU/Board Member/Paula De La Cerda Board Member/Karen Sleighter Texas Lehigh Company Board Member/Wade Wilson
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| Turn Gruene Blue
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CASA Blue Ribbon Fun Run
April 12th
9 a.m.
Gruene Lake Village on Gruene Road
April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Help us recognize this month by participating in CASA's Blue Ribbon 5K Fun Run to raise funds and awareness for CASA. Followed by a balloon release.
Register for the run here.
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| Great News!
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To better meet the needs of our volunteers and program, we have launched a new website design. The site contains information on becoming a volunteer, upcoming events, a Learning Center with resources for volunteers, and more. Special thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Texas CASA for making our website possible.
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| Hit the Road with CASA
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Order your license plate HERE.
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CASA License Plates are Back
The redesigned Big Voices for Little Texans license plate is now available for purchase through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
A portion of the proceeds from the license plate goes directly to our local CASA program, and you put our logo on the road.
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| Do You Shop on Amazon?
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Give Through Amazon
Do you shop on Amazon? If so, you can now shop like usual and get a portion of your eligible purchases donated to helping us recruit and train volunteers at no extra cost to you!
Just go to www.smile.amazon.com, log on to your Amazon account, type CASA of Central Texas in the search box, select us and start shopping! We will receive .5% of all eligible purchases when you buy from Amazon! Spread the word!
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| Golfers Wanted
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For more information or to register, click here. | |
San Marcos and Kyle Chick-fil-A Hosting Golf Tournament to Benefit CASA
May 16th
Registration 7 a.m.
Shotgun Start 8 a.m.
Plum Creek
Kyle
Raffles, Mulligans, and "Hit the Cow" competitions available. If you hit the cow, you get free Chick-fil-A for a year. Lunch, awards and prizes following.
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| Community Support
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If you can display our CASA banner or brochures in your place of business to help recruit more volunteers, please contact Community Relations Coordinator Eloise Hudson at (830) 626-2272 or by email. | |
Promote CASA at Your Business
Thank you to the following organizations and businesses for displaying CASA brochures in their buildings:
Broadway Bank
Canyon Lake Animal Clinic
Victor's Personal Training Center
Dr. Eugene Clark Library
Lockhart Senior Apartments
Lockhart Chamber of Commerce
Mason Lodge
Lockhart Family Medicine
Texas State Optical
Lockhart Senior Citizen Center
CPL
Luling Chamber of Commerce
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| Social Media
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Follow CASA of Central Texas online to get information and updates throughout the month!
Click the icons to follow us and help spread the word about CASA!
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| Upcoming Events |
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April
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month
City and County Proclamation dates HERE
2nd- Voices Tour, noon New Braunfels CASA office
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Stay Connected!
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