CASA Up Close
CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.


     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.
Letter from the Executive Director

 

     CASA of Central Texas is 30! 

 

     In 1984, in New Braunfels, a grassroots effort sprang to life with a group of individuals whose professions allowed them to see up close how children who were victims of abuse were being victimized again by adult rules, guidelines, red tape, and lack of understanding, time and funds. These doctors, lawyers, law enforcement officials and social workers met to discuss a solution to the growing number of child abuse cases and the number of children who kept falling through the cracks of the system that was supposed to protect them. The formation of a child advocacy program was proposed and Comal County Child Advocacy was incorporated on March 13, 1985.

 

     After becoming affiliated with the National CASA program, we acquired a non-profit 501(c)(3) status. The mission was to recruit and train volunteers who would provide an objective viewpoint in civil child protection court cases. There were 18 advocates who completed the first training class. By 1994 the program expanded into Hays and Caldwell counties and the program name was changed to CASA of Central Texas. The program expanded into our fourth county, Guadalupe, in 1996.

 

     Now, in our thirtieth year, CASA has grown to more than 240 volunteers offering a unique service, advocacy for children who have been abused or neglected and are under State care. In 2014, these volunteers served 466 children, more than half of the children in State Care in Central Texas.

 

     2015 will be a big year for CASA of Central Texas, and we hope you will join us in our official celebration, CASA in the Keys, on April 10th. We will honor those who helped us get here as we continue to work toward our goal of providing a CASA volunteer to every child in State care.

 

     Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey for the last 30 years, and to you who plan to be a part of the next 30!


 

Thank you,
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Volunteer Voices
Sue and Earl Dittman, CASA volunteers since 2011, at CASA's "Hat's off to our Volunteers" appreciation mixer.

      

     "We wanted to help give children in the court system a voice to make sure their best interests were being considered."

 

     "The people who volunteer as CASAs as well as the CASA staff are outstanding in their dedication to the well being of the children."

 

     "Becoming a CASA is an eye-opening experience and is probably one of the most worthwhile endeavors in which you will every participate."

Voices Tour Information SessionsVoices

Want to learn more about the role of a CASA Volunteer? Come to our
ribbon  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. 

 

Voices Tours

 

New Braunfels 

CASA office

First Wednesday of each month - Noon  

 

San Marcos 

CASA office 

Second Wednesday of each month - Noon

 

Schertz 
GVEC Community Room
Tuesday, March 17th - Noon

 

Seguin

GVEC Community Room
Thursday, March 19th - Noon 

 

Please RSVP to Eloise Hudson by email or at 830-626-2272.   

 

Lunch provided by Fox's Pizza Den in New Braunfels and Chick-fil-A in San Marcos.  
CASA in the Keys 

Put on your tropical shirts and grass skirts as CASA of Central Texas "heads down Route 1 to the Islands." Join us as we celebrate three decades of advocating for abused and neglected children in Central Texas! 

April 10, 2015

6:30 p.m.
Wurstfest Stelzenhaus
New Braunfels

Live and silent auction items needed.

Purchase tickets and find Sponsorship information here

 

 

Thank you to our sponsors!   

Mariposa at Hunter Road Apartments 

McKenna Foundation 

Robin and David Pfeifer 

Tomblin Family Foundation (2) 

Children's Dental Ark
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System
Miller & Miller Insurance
Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
State Representative Doug Miller
Whataburger
 Keys
Be a Part of Online Givingonlinegiving

CASA of Central Texas is excited to be participating in Amplify Austin and The Big Give San Antonio this year. No matter where you live, you may choose to give to CASA through one or both!

 

 

Amplify Austin is a community-wide day of online giving with the goal of raising $7 million for nonprofits in 24 hours.  

 

Amplify Austin 

March 5-6 

https://amplifyatx.ilivehereigivehere.org/CASACentex/overview
Schedule your gift to CASA today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2nd Annual Big Give San Antonio is an online giving day  dedicated to raising funds and awareness for nonprofits throughout South Central Texas.

 

The Big Give San Antonio
May 5
https://www.thebiggivesa.org/#npo/casa-of-central-texas1 

New Video to Spread CASA's Message
Watch and share our new CASA of Central Texas 2015 video
Watch and share our new CASA of Central Texas 2015 video.

 

      CASA of Central Texas has created a new video to help explain the need for more volunteers and supporters.

 

     The new video was premiered February 13th at the Donor Appreciation Mixer held at Milltown Historic District Event Center.

 

     Thank you to Milltown for hosting the event, Comal County District Attorney Jennifer Tharp for sponsoring the video and to all of our supporters who make our program possible.

 

     We hope you enjoy the video and share with anyone you know who might be interested in learning more about CASA. 

Become a CASA Volunteer
Bob Williams, CASA of Central Texas Advocate since 2010.


Upcoming Trainings:


Saturdays

8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 28th through March 28th

New Braunfels office   

Wednesdays

4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
March 4 thru April 8

New Braunfels office


Thursdays

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

March 5 thru April 9
San Marcos CASA office

 

Training sessions will also begin the following weeks:

 

Week of April 26

Week of June 21

Week of August 9
Times and locations TBA

 

     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.Training
Advocates Share Stories with Legislators

     CASA of Central Texas volunteers traveled to Austin on February 12th to be part of "CASA Day at the Capitol," a state-wide event coordinated by Texas CASA. Volunteers met with their local legislators and shared their stories about the work they do with children in the community. Volunteers also heard a resolution made by the Texas House of Representatives recognizing the day.

 

     Thank you to Representative Doug Miller for meeting with us, and to staff from the offices of Representative Isaac, Representative Kuempel and Senator Zaffirini.

 

     Thank you also to CASA of Central Texas volunteer John Barthel who serves as our program's Legislative Advocacy Team Chair and coordinated our visits. 

Volunteer Continuing Education 
   
     Thank you to our facilitators at the Hays Caldwell Women's Center in San Marcos for speaking to our advocates about Family Violence and Stalking at our February 24th Continuing Education Training. 
 
     The speakers covered legal issues such as protective orders and restraining orders, the cycle of violence as well as services available to crime victims of the Central Texas area.
 
     A big congratulations to our raffle winners Patty Willett, Jessica Mejia and Kathryn Berck who won a CASA water bottle, leather CASA portfolio and insulated CASA tote bag!
 
     We will raffle off more CASA gear at the next CE Training on March 24th, which will address Anger Issues! Click here to learn more about this upcoming training. We hope to see you there! 
Wing Society Advocate Socialsocial

All CASA of Central Texas volunteers are invited to attend the upcoming Wing Society Social!

"Rollin' on the River"
Saturday, February 28
2 - 4 p.m.
The Power Plant Texas Grill, Seguin

Advocates get to know each other at a previous social.
Please RSVP to Debbie Haynes at 512-392-3578 or by email
Thank You to Our Supporters

San Marcos Lions Club
Congratulations 

     CASA of Central Texas Casework Supervisor Layla Coleman and her husband welcomed their daughter Leona Rosemary earlier this month!









     CASA of Central Texas Administrative Coordinator Daysy Silvestre recently graduated from Texas State University and received a degree in Public Administration with a minor in Business Administration. Daysy, pictured here with her sister, plans to pursue an MBA or attend law school.
February 2015
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Upcoming Events



February

28th
CASA Volunteer Training
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


28th
Wing Society Social
2  - 4 p.m.
The PowerPlant Texas Grill, Seguin
More info click here

March

2nd
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here


4th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


5th-6th

Amplify Austin
6 p.m. - 6 p.m.
More info click here


11th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


17th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
Schertz GVEC Community Room
More info click here


19th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
Seguin GVEC Community Room
More info click here




April

Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

1st
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


8th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


10th
CASA in the Keys
6:30 - 11 p.m.
Wurstfest grounds
More info click here


26th
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here




May

6th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


5th
Big Give S.A.
12 a.m.
More info click here


13th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


22nd
Chick-fil-A Cow Classic
7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Quail Creek San Marcos
More info click here




June

3rd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


10th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


16th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
Schertz GVEC Community Room
More info click here


18th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
Seguin GVEC Community Room
More info click here


21st
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here




July

1st
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


8th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here




August

5th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


9th
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here


12th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here




September

2nd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


9th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


11th
Guadalupe County Fundraiser
6:30 - 10 p.m.
Big Red Barn
More info click here


15th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
Schertz GVEC Community Room
More info click here


17th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
Seguin GVEC Community Room
More info click here




October

7th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


14th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here




November

5th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


12th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here




December

3rd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here


10th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here

CASA Of Central Texas Inc.
www.casacentex.org
830-626-2272