When three young siblings came into foster care the first time, they were assigned a Dallas CASA volunteer, Mallory, to advocate for their best interests. She bonded tightly with them before caseworkers reunified them with family.

When they were removed from home and placed in foster care a second time, Mallory didn't skip a beat. She accepted the case again, providing a rare moment of consistency and a familiar face for Daniel, Andrew and baby Lily, as well as the caseworkers assigned to their case.

The Dallas CASA Classic returned for its 28th year, raising $1.25 million to support Dallas CASA and the children served by our dedicated volunteers. This year’s tournament, co-hosted by AT&T, Goldman Sachs and newcomer Energy Leaderboard, a joint effort of ExxonMobil, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. and Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc., continued a proud tradition of corporate partnership and community impact.

The tournament has raised more than $29 million for Dallas CASA since its founding in 1998, helping propel Dallas CASA's growth and ability to serve all Dallas County children in need.

Dallas CASA would like to thank all underwriters and donors to our 2025 Champion of Children Award Dinner, held October 9 at The Fairmont. Guests were inspired by featured speaker Steve Pemberton, who shared with the audience his story of resilience through a childhood in foster care and the people who served as "lighthouses," showing him the way.

"Family for me was not necessarily who I was born into, but who I found along the way," he said. "Today, I am a reflection of the people who showed up for me."

The dinner was chaired by Pam Busbee, Christie Carter and Megan and David Martinez. The 2025 Jan and Judge Barefoot Sanders Champion of Children Award was given to Goldman Sachs for their work on behalf of Dallas children.

Dallas CASA hosted a full day of networking and continuing education for advocates on September 20. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Dr. Gregory Williams, an expert in childhood trauma and a member of the senior leadership team at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, before breaking out into groups for specific sessions on a variety of child welfare-related topics. More than 200 active advocates attended the summit, which offered up to eight hours of continuing education credit.

Special thanks to all who attended to learn more about serving children in need!

Goldman Sachs Dallas hosted a special nonprofit event for employees this fall, focusing on the importance of giving back to the community. Dallas CASA's Kathleen LaValle was invited to speak, along with United to Learn Founder Abby Williams and Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Managing Director Holly Kuzmich. The dynamic conversation focused on how different organizations drive impact on Dallas. The event was moderated by Goldman Sachs Partner and Vice Chairman Kaplan.

On Saturday, September 6, the Dallas CASA Children’s Council hosted a career day for teens and their Dallas CASA volunteers at the Dallas College Richland campus.

The day focused on educating youth and young adults about various career paths. Attendees heard presentations on a variety of career professions and industries and had an opportunity to engage in more in-depth discussions with the professionals of their choice.

Representatives from many programs that serve as resources for youth were also in attendance, including: PAL, TRAC, Dallas College Hand in Hand (support program for students who have experienced foster care) and local Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Programs.

Dallas CASA welcomes the following advocates ready to begin serving children in our community. These volunteers have completed 30 hours of training and have been sworn in by the court as Court Appointed Special Advocates.

September: Cynthia Arellano, Sereena Bexley, Caroline Burton, Xavier Carter, Andrea Diaz, Emily Diaz, Jasmin Diaz, Carolina Gamonal, Gerald Gross, Janis Gustafson, Tischa Harris, Yolanda Hawthorne, Cortney Haygood, Joslyn Henry, Liliana Hernandez, Oscar Huizar, Chrissa Katsamakis, Elizabeth Langdon, Jungmin Lee, Morgan Messina, Sha'Huni Norman, Barbara Punch, Fabiola Retana, Tyler Roche, Leslie Rodriguez, Carol Rudolph, Jasmine Shannon, Zachary Sickels, Ruthina Smith, Angela Tetteh, Daisy Trinidad, Tanya Uhrich, Erin Viehmann and Elizabeth Walker

October: Marie Alvarez, Paula Asinof, Jamison Bexley, Erin Donovan, Mary Ehring, Scharonda Foy, Adrian Gaspar, Stephanie Hillas, Emmy Kay Jensen, Yvette Kraake, Michael Laperle, Diana Mendoza, Raquel Montgomery, Morgan Moore, Enias Ndhlovu, Dania Sanchez, Karen Sanchez, Marie Narine Torres Cajiao, Cindy Umana, Remonica Washington, Lesma Weir, Felicia Woods and Sami Zaidi