A baby and toddler had the love of their devoted grandmother and the safety of a family home. But when a Dallas CASA volunteer learned the family was struggling through the Texas summer heat, she knew she had to help. Could one act of advocacy make a life-changing difference for two young children?

Join Dallas CASA on October 15 at the Fairmont Dallas for the 2026 Champion of Children Award Dinner, an inspiring evening celebrating the power of advocacy on behalf of children in foster care. This year's event will honor Larry Dolan, Dallas CASA's longest-serving volunteer advocate and the first volunteer in the organization's history to reach 30 years of service. Over those three decades, Larry has advocated for nearly 170 children, helping ensure their voices are heard and their futures are brighter. Larry will accept the award individually and on behalf of the thousands of individuals who are or have been Dallas CASA volunteers.

The evening will be chaired by Lael and Peter Brodsky and Cynt and Kenneth Marshall and will feature keynote speaker Jelani Freeman, government attorney, motivational speaker, a former foster youth and national advocate for children in foster care. Together, community leaders, supporters and advocates will come together to celebrate the life-changing impact of standing up for children when they need it most.

Underwriting opportunities are now available. By becoming an underwriter, you can help ensure that every child served by Dallas CASA has a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interests while gaining meaningful visibility at one of Dallas CASA's premier fundraising events.

A CASA volunteer's role may end when a court case closes, but the relationship doesn't have to. Learn how Dallas CASA's Exit UP program helps young people stay connected to trusted adults and access the resources they need as they navigate life beyond the child welfare system.

Dallas CASA's signature event, Parade of Playhouses, returned to NorthPark Center May 22–June 7. Presented by Crest Auto Group, the beloved annual event features one-of-a-kind children's playhouses designed and built by talented architects, builders and community partners, all to support children served by Dallas CASA.

We are grateful to our 2026 architects and builders: AGL Design, Austin Commercial, Bears Contracting Group, Corgan, Crest Auto Group, Delta Millworks, Espedal Design Construct, First Watch, GMi, Highland Park ISD / MAPS Environmental, IMG, JE Dunn Construction, Jim Scott and Sons, Kimley-Horn, Kirksey Architecture, LRO Residential, Preservation Park Cities, SHM Architects, Stream Realty Partners and Swinerton Construction.

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.

February: Marsha Akers, Denicia Arnold, Justin Boyce, Kelly Boyce, Rachael Brocato, Veronica Castillo, Cassandra Chauvet, Brandon Cotter, Momeshia Draughn, Sally Fowler, Mekdes Getahun, Linda Green, Annabeth Griffin, Maria Harkins, Julia Haushalter, Hunter Honeycutt, Angela Howard, Laura Hudson, Consuelo Ibarra, Lindsey Johnson, Susan Khera, Amy Leifer, Margo Leskinen, Julie Lyons, Jana McAnally, Charles McConnell, Loucrishia McField, Jennifer Motes, Eduardo Navarro Vaca, Alexandra Perkins, Natalie Powell, Caroline Russell, Dulce Sandoval, Johnna Sheppard, Brandi Skanes, Neyssa Shockley, Tiffany Taylor, Yssis Trosper and Charlene Williams

March: Chimaobi Akanno, Emma Baccus, Tiffany Bakewell, Angelica Barr, Shelia Blake, Amelia Cato, Travis Clark, Ashley Freeman, Bailey Fuerst, Rhesa Higgins, Melissa James, Asheley Jantz, Delia Jenkins, Jessica Jennings, Jessica Kitonga, Patricia Knight, Fanta Mballow, Jacqueline McCloud, Natalie Mobley, Melanie Morris, Jana Patrick, Raquel Qualls-Hampton, Lindsey Smith, Krista Torralva and Elaine Tucker

April: Joselle Albracht, Maria Balcazar, Melvin Bernard, Katherine Brown, Ashley Callahan, Abigail Comer, Alison Griego, Brian Gross, Ashley Gutierrez, William Holford, Joshua Johnson, Alexandra Jones, Karun Joseph, Amanda Knight, Rachael Leonard, Olivia Martinez, Veronica Martinez Jaime, Shannon Matsumoto, Sandra Mendez, Jay Modi, Joao Neto, Rebecca Parsons, Mariana Rioboo de Izaurieta, Shelly Robb, Mickenzie Seely, Mitali Sharma, Julianne Toates, Lawana White and Judith Winters

June: Lily Anderson, Michael Bennett, Stephanie Bryant, Julie Childers, Irene Chon, Shonda Ellis, Michelle Field, Caitlin Flanagin, Mahlet Gadissa, Kelly Giron, James Hainsworth, Darrell Hampton, Omar Harb, Nabeela Iqbal, Darrell Johnson, Chelsea Milam, Vanessa Moore, Thelma Nwachukwu, Aimee Pecina, Nicholas Quartarola, Olivia Ramos, Dallis Reed, Symphony Simmons, Lindsay Stengle, Shante Swanson, Christina Vo and Jared Wilson

July: Karen Aberle, Lisa Acosta, Graciela Baez Torres, Lacy Brown Attaway, Joy Cox, Laporicha Curry, Mahlet “Molly” Dozier, Aidan Flood, Amanda Floyd, Gloria Harrison, Marcia Holland, Arynn Johnson, Sydney Miller, Amanda O’Brien, Samantha Page, Liliana Pavicich, Tiara Powell, Laura Sanchez, Katrina Spottsville, Aditya Sriram and Kelsey Trunk