Friends of CASA of Denton County - Second Quarter Update

Greetings!

When a child must be removed from their own home for their safety and well-being, living with family or “kin” is usually the next best thing.

A child who has experienced abuse or neglect can find stability with family caregivers to support their healing journey. Placing the child with relatives—known as kinship care—may increase feelings of emotional security. Family members are more likely to share a child’s cultural background, language, and traditions, which helps the child maintain a sense of identity and belonging during a turbulent time.

CASA of Denton County volunteers often recommend keeping a child they serve with family when safe and possible. In fact, 44% of the children CASA serves are in a kinship placement today.

But kinship families caring for children need support; they often were not prepared to add one, two, or more children to their home. The state of Texas has shown through legislation that it values kinship providers, even recently passing a bill to help them obtain daycare. Our community can, and should, help also.

That’s why last year, CASA of Denton County revived a longtime local tradition, the Kinship Fair. We brought community partners together to celebrate and shower these families with items they may need, such as backpacks, clothing, and books, along with a day of fun and fellowship.

This year we plan to keep the Denton County Kinship Fair going on September 20 (September is Kinship Month), and we would love your help. We are gathering “needs lists” from more than 150 children in kinship care to create care packages for them that we will distribute in September. Join this effort to shower these families with the admiration and respect they deserve.

Here’s how: Get a needs list from us in early August by emailing Jen Adame at recruiter@casadenton.org and bring your items back by the third week in September. For kinship families that live too far to travel to the fair, consider donating Walmart or Target gift cards to the CASA office. You can also donate directly for these families at our website, https://casadenton.org/give/care4kids/

Sincerely,

Debbie Jensen

Executive Director, CASA of Denton County

Make a Gift

Second Quarter Impact

In the second quarter of 2025, our dedicated CASA volunteers continued to make a powerful impact. They've been hard at work providing consistent advocacy and support to children in the child welfare system. Still, the need remains. Right now, 82 children are waiting for a dedicated CASA to stand by their side and be a voice for their best interests.

Save the Date: Evening of Elegance - Illuminating Hope

We are thrilled to announce the 26th Annual Evening of Elegance, a night dedicated to Illuminating Hope in our community. Join us for an inspiring evening filled with elegance, purpose, and stories of hope for children looking to CASA after experiencing abuse and neglect.

Sponsorships are available now! Be a beacon of hope—partner with us as a sponsor and help light the way for those we serve. Opportunities are limited, so act quickly to secure your spot.

Visit our Website

Handbags for Hope

Thank you to our generous sponsors, volunteers, and guests who helped make our inaugural Handbags for Hope event a success! Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Wood Weatherly Trial Law, for making our event possible!

We loved to see so many people come together to support our mission. Together, we raised funds that will bring hope to children looking to CASA after experiencing abuse and neglect.

View Event Photos

CASA at the Capitol

On March 27, CASA of Denton County joined over 55 other CASA programs from across the state at CASA Day at the Capitol. This powerful event gave CASA programs the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and amplify our mission. A huge thank you to CASA Staff Beth Potter and Ashlee Muhlburger, along with volunteers John Parkhurst and Sherry Garvin, for representing us at the Capitol.

Pulling for Kids

presented by LeadsOnline

Thanks to our amazing sponsors, donors, and 272 participants, the 24th Annual Pulling for Kids clay shoot was our most successful yet—raising over $215,000 to support children counting on CASA after experiencing abuse or neglect. With 68 teams, friendly competition, great food, and unwavering spirit (even in the rain!), your support brings hope where it’s needed most.

View Event Photos

Hope You Can Hold: A Tribute to Angel and CASA's Mission

When Leah Johnson of LJ Artisan Designs learned about Angel—a young child whose life was tragically lost to neglect—she was moved to create something truly special. In honor of Angel and the many children served by CASA of Denton County, Leah handcrafted a one-of-a-kind necklace that embodies Angel’s spirit and the hope CASA brings to children in crisis. This meaningful piece became a symbol of tangible hope at our Handbags for Hope event, helping transform grief into purpose and making the event a heartfelt success.

Read Full Article

Welcome New Advocates!

Help us give a warm welcome to our newest class of CASA advocates, officially sworn in on May 20! We're so excited to see the heart and dedication they’ll bring to their work as they stand alongside the children on their cases. Thank you for stepping up and joining CASA of Denton County!

If you have ever considered becoming an advocate, now is the perfect time to learn more. Join us at an info session to learn about CASA, or reach out to recruiter@casadenton.org with any questions about how you can get involved!

Become a CASA!

Ready to make a difference? Start your CASA journey by attending an info session and discover how volunteers like you become a powerful voice for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Take the first step today! RSVP for an upcoming in-person or virtual session at the link below and join our October training class!

Care4Kids

Our Care4Kids fund helps provide direct needs to children and their placements, bringing comfort, joy, and stability to the children we serve. Each donation helps provide things like clothing, school supplies, or special experiences that remind them they’re seen, valued, and loved. Give today to help Care4Kids!

Donate

Cheers to CASA

This August, CASA of Denton County is partnering with generous local businesses to raise critical funds and awareness for our Court Advocacy program! By attending one of the giveback events listed at the link below, you can help ensure children in Denton County who’ve experienced abuse or neglect receive the consistent, caring advocacy they deserve while in state custody.

View the Calendar of Events

North Texas Giving Day

Mark your calendars! This year North Texas Giving Day is on Thursday, September 18! It’s your chance to make a big impact for CASA of Denton County and the children we serve. Stay tuned for ways you can get involved and help us bring hope to kids

Buck-A-Duck

Join us for the Buck-a-Duck fun by adopting a duck for Cross Timbers Rotary's Duck Derby! When you adopt a $5 duck from our link, $1 will be donated to CASA of Denton County!

Adopt a Duck!

Spread the word, follow us!

The mission of CASA of Denton county, Inc. is to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Our trained and supported community volunteers build a strong, consistent relationship with each child and their family, promote community resources, and make informed recommendations to the court.