News from CASA Of Central Texas Inc.

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

"Look for the Helpers"

     In the last few months, we have witnessed disruption in our world. I have seen this in the news, in conversations, and all over social media. There is an underlying message of frustration.

     But, in the midst of all the bad, I see good. I see people getting involved, people showing compassion, people coming together. It reminds me of a great quote by the beloved children's host Fred Rodgers on when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news.

"My mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world."

     While we may not all agree on how things need to change, we can all choose to do our part to improve our community, and at least be part of speaking up, having a voice, being heard.

     We were delighted that John Quiñones, ABC journalist and host of "What Would You Do?", stopped by to provide support for our program. He challenged the audience to think about how each of us could use our own actions to better the lives of those around us. His words were timely. See more on his visit here.

     Thank you to each of you for being a part of our CASA Community as we work to be a part of the solution. I am blessed to see first-hand each day that the majority of the people in this world are caring and can make a difference. I don't have to look far to see the helpers, I am surrounded by them.

Thank you,

Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Executive Director

Become a CASA Volunteer

CASA Volunteer Toni Urban sworn in March 2014

Sign up for a 2016 Training Session

For more information on training sessions contact Training Coordinator Debbie Haynes at 512-392-3578 or by email, or click here to visit our website.

A New Volunteer Training Course is required for all new Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteers.

The Volunteer Training Course is a 6-part training series and all 6 classes are required.

Upcoming Training Courses

Starting in August

Wednesdays

August 17 thru September 21

4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
San Marcos

Thursdays

August 18 thru September 22

1 - 5 p.m.

New Braunfels

Saturday Course

Saturdays Accelerated Course
October 1 thru October 29
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
New Braunfels

Last Training Courses of 2016

Wednesdays

October 12 thru November 16

1 - 5 p.m.
San Marcos

Thursdays

October 13 thru November 17

4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
New Braunfels

San Marcos

Historic Hays County Courthouse Room 101
111 E. San Antonio Street

New Braunfels
CASA office

1619 E. Common Street, Building C

Volunteer Spotlight


	Debbie Cantu, CASA of Central Texas Volunteer since 2014

"CASA of Central Texas is one of the best volunteer groups I've ever worked with. I appreciate the support they give us as individuals and the consistent public, social, and verbal feedback of appreciation for our work."

"I encourage anyone interested in volunteering to consider their personal strengths and how those strengths could be used to advocate for children that need a voice. CASA trainers and staff are very good at preparing you for what is ahead."

"The rewards are unexpected, unpredictable, mostly feelings of contentment and accomplishment. Any personal issues I may have become minuscule in comparison to what these children face almost daily."

Voices Tour Information Sessions

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

our 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

Wednesday, August 3rd, noon
CASA office

San Marcos

Wednesday, August 17th, noon
Historic Hays County Courthouse, Room 101
Host: Naomi Narvaiz, CASA Community Supporter

Seguin

Thursday, August 18th, 6 p.m.
GVEC Community Room

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

Would you like to host a CASA Voices Tour in your town? Please contact us and get more information here!

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

John Quiñones Visits Central Texas

CASA of Central Texas was


	CASA Executive Director Norma Blackwell, Former CASA Youth Justice LaRue, John Quiñones, Justice's CASA Volunteer Lorie Donley, and Lorie's Casework Supervisor Tim Judkins.

honored to have ABC News Journalist and host of ABC's "What Would You Do?" John Quiñones join our program for a day to help motivate people to get involved.

Former CASA youth Justice LaRue and Mr. Quiñones spoke at a lunch in San Marcos to share the need for a CASA Training and Support Center and again to the community in New Braunfels about the importance of getting involved, specifically in the lives of children.

The presentations were thanks to Justice who met Mr. Quiñones at the National CASA Conference in June. He was moved by her story and offered to help CASA of Central Texas anytime he was in his hometown of San Antonio.

A big thanks to Justice and Mr. Quiñones for their time and support.

John Quiñones attended a fundraising lunch co-hosted by

CASA Supporter John Navarrette.

CASA Superhero Run

You can be a superhero for childre n who've been abused or neglected. The CASA Superhero Run features a 5K and Kids 1K race, masked and caped runners, a superhero costume contest, family-friendly activities and vendors, and much more.

CASA Superhero Run - 5K and Kids 1K

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Domain Central Park - 11100 Alterra Pkwy, Austin

This year's run will be held at the Do main in Austin and will benefit the CASA programs serving Travis, Williamson, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays Counties. Please visit the event website to register and for more information, www.casasuperherorun.com.

Dog Days of Summer


	CASA of Central Texas Executive Director Norma Castilla-Blackwell and Dante.

CASA of Central Texas is excited to announce a partnership with Canine Companions and provide comfort that an animal can bring to the children we serve.

CASA volunteers will be able to request services through Canine Companions for Dante and his friends for visits to their CASA children. Some of our kids have already been reading to Dante and the other dogs through referrals at their schools. Dante attended Adoption Day last fall and recognizing him, one little girl ran across the room to give him a big hug.

Watch for more information to come including a summer or winter break reading program and attending court with the kids and how services can be requested.

Community Partnerships

CASA attended the City of San Marcos Needs Assessment planning meeting with HUD, city staff and other local agencies on June 29.

The round-table discussions identified concerns including limited affordable housing, transportation and social service providers (ex. mental health ) and recognized strengths including a strong non-profit community including CASA, and partnerships with local government.

CASA receives funding from the COSM through their Community Development Block Grant for services to help children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

The official report will be compiled and released later this year.

Help Recruit CASA Volunteers

Do you love CASA and want to help recruit volunteers? Now you can get the word out by being a host for one of our CASA Voices Tours Information Sessions.

How? You pick a tour date and location that works best for you, commit to invite your friends and join us for the session. Let us do the rest. Our goal is for you to have five of your friends or colleagues attend as your guests and for them to hear why you support CASA. Then a CASA staff member will explain the history of the program, what's involved with being a CASA and how to get started. We believe your personal invitation will go far in encouraging people to learn more about CASA, and help us reach the goal of providing a CASA for every child in State care.

CASA will also invite people through social media and word-of-mouth so expect to see faces new to you, too!

Voices Tours are held from noon - 1 on the first Wednesday of each month in New Braunfels and the second Wednesday of each month in San Marcos. Additional dates and locations are scheduled upon request. Please contact Eloise Hudson if you would like to host a Voices Tour.

Community Partners