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CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.
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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.
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Letter from the Executive Director
Make CASA a Part of Your Legacy
As our organization continues to grow and represent more abused and neglected children in the community, it is important now more than ever to diversify our funding sources and offer supporters different ways to contribute.
In addition to making individual donations and attending our fundraising events, I encourage community members to consider the many options available for making a planned gift to CASA of Central Texas.
First, you can support CASA by including a bequest provision in your will or trust that will direct assets to us. You can also name CASA as a beneficiary in your
life insurance policy or your retirement plan as well as donate or deed property to the organization.
Another option is to support our Superheroes Capital Campaign to build a new Training & Support Center in San Marcos. Named gift opportunities are available.
I encourage you to speak with your financial advisors and continue to support CASA of Central Texas as we grow and work toward our goal of providing a trained volunteer to every child who needs one.
If you are interested in contributing to CASA's capital campaign or would like to discuss planned gifts, please feel free to
contact
me.
Sincerely,
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Executive Director
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Become a CASA Volunteer
New volunteer training
will resume January 2016
Our final round of training classes for 2015 have begun and we are accepting applications for the new year.
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
.
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Volunteer Spotlight
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Bob Williams, CASA
volunteer since 2010
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"CASA was familiar as I was involved in founding a CASA program in New Mexico in 1987. I was looking for a challenging volunteer opportunity and a way to help teens who had been 'dealt all the tough cards'. "
"
I have been the only adult in my child's life that is always there for him. Placements, schools, teachers, therapists, probation officers - all the adults - are constantly being replaced or changing. These teens have no stability and no one to trust, except
their CASA."
"You will bring to bear all the experience of your lifetime in advocating for your child within the various agencies and with involved people. The judge will depend on you for informed advice on the best welfare for the child. You will be the eyes and ears of the court. Do it! Volunteer! Be a CASA!
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Voices Tour Information Sessions
Want to learn more about the role of a CASA Volunteer?
Come to
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
CASA office
Wednesday, November 4th - noon
San Marcos
Historic Hays County Courthouse, Room 101
Wednesday, November 18th - 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.
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Fall Permanency Luncheon
CASA Volunteers were honored on October 1st at our Fall Permanency Luncheon. The lunch recognizes volunteers whose children have either been returned home or have been placed in safe, permanent homes in the last six months.
CASA supervisors shared stories about the cases and the work each volunteer did to advocate for the best interest of the children. The stories were a reminder why it is important to keep working toward providing a CASA for every child in care.
(seated l-r): Sharon Skrocki, Margi Koranek, Stephanie Eagle, Mary Hodges
(standing l-r): Becky Oekerman, Beverly Hoffman, Ralph Townsend, Ray Spencer, Mary Eisenberg, Traudi McDonald, Judy Fogg, Patty Willet, Lynette Barker, Elette Estrada, Mary Marek, Laverne Johnson, Joe Timmins, Kathryn Berck, Bob Grafe
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Human Trafficking Recap
A photo of Andrea Sparks, Executive Director for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Texas Regional Office gave a presentation to CASA Volunteers
about her work and the rise of human trafficking in the Central Texas area as well as how this relates to CASA work.
Upcoming Workshop
Local Pastor Karen Horan will be talking with advocates about how to practice self-care in the caring profession.
SELF CARE
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
1pm-3pm
Gruene United Methodist Church
2629 E. Common St.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Meeting will be in the
NEW building behind the original structure.
Light refreshments provided.
Advocates are required to complete
12 hours
of continuing education per year.
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Annual Toy Drive
Participate in CASA's
Holiday Toy and Gift Drive
This holiday season, CASA of Central Texas is collaborating with local organizations and individuals to provide gifts for abused and neglected children. This annual project is a wonderful opportunity to extend the giving tradition to children in our community. We hope that you will join us in our goal to provide a gift to all of the abused and neglected children that CASA serves.
Children will be available to sponsor beginning November 2nd. Visit our toy drive webpage or contact the CASA office to participate.
If you have any questions, please contact Eloise Hudson by email or at 830-626-2272.
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Support CASA Through Payroll Deduction
CASA of Central Texas has been approved to participate in several payroll deductions campaigns for public employees.
If you qualify for one of these campaigns through your employer, please consider supporting CASA. Your friends and family can also participate, so help us get the word out!
State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC):
CASA of Central Texas agency listing - 475017
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC):
CASA of Central Texas agency listing - 60661
San Antonio Metropolitan Area (SAMA) Public Sector Campaigns:
City of San Antonio Charitable Campaign
Bexar County Charitable Campaign
Combined School District Charitable Campaign
City of Austin Combined Charities Campaign (COACCC):
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Save the Date
December 1st is the fourth annual #GivingTuesday worldwide. It is a day to inspire personal philanthropy and encourage bigger, better and smarter charitable giving during the holiday season.
If you spend on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, please consider kicking off the holiday giving season with an end-of-year charitable gift to CASA of Central Texas! Click here to donate.
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Belk Charity Sale
The retail store Belk will hold a charity sale where part of the sales that day will be donated to local charities. During the sale, the charities, including CASA, will each set up an information table.
You can purchase a charity sale ticket at the CASA offices for $5. Present the ticket at the register during the sale and receive a $5 off discount.
Date: Saturday, November 7th
Time: 6 - 10 a.m.
Location: Belk retail store, New Braunfels
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Community Supporters
Thank you to the San Marcos Lions Club for their donation to CASA to help recruit, train and support more volunteers. Pictured are CASA Executive Director Norma Blackwell and Development Director Tricia Schneider. Also pictured are recipients from CFPO and the Burke Center.
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Donate Your Car to CASA
Have an old car taking up space in your driveway? Donate it to CASA of Central Texas! CASA has partnered with CARS to participate in a vehicle donation program.
We accept most cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RV's, motorcycles, off road vehicles, heavy equipment and other motorized vehicles.
Why donate your vehicle to CASA?
* Avoid the hassles of selling a car
* No need to pay hefty repair bills
* Free up space in your garage
* 100% tax deductible
Making a donation is EASY!
It's as easy as filling out an online donation form here or picking up a phone and speaking to a live operator.
If you have any questions just call one of CARS friendly operators toll-free at
855-500-7433 or 855-500-RIDE seven days a week.
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Stay Connected
Spread the Word
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Upcoming Events
November
4th
Voices Tour
5th - 7th
CASA's Holiday
Toy & Gift Drive
December
Voices Tour
10th
Voices Tour
11th
Advocate Appreciation Mixer
6:30
p.m.
The Vineyard at Gruene
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