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

    

     I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences to those who have been affected and are suffering because of the recent flooding in our area. I have seen the immediate physical and emotional damage that has been caused, and I know it will take time to repair. I hear story after story of my fellow Central Texans facing great loss and long roads to getting their lives back to normal. It is truly heartbreaking to know of the struggle that is happening right here in our community.

 

     But through this tragedy, I am reminded why I love Central Texas. To see all of the businesses and churches, organizations and individuals, city and county leaders and staff - everyone - all coming together to help those in need is truly remarkable. So many are gathering to help with clean up, donating to replace destroyed items, and coordinating efforts to provide relief. It is inspiring to see what our community can do when there is great need.

 

     Thank you to everyone who has gotten involved and my thoughts are with those who are still being affected. I am proud to be a member of this community.

 

Thank you,

 

Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Welcome New CASA Volunteers


Welcome to our newest CASA Volunteers, sworn in on May 15th. Pictured (l-r) are: Jesslyn 'J' Bordine of Hays County, Stephanie Eagle of Hays County, Melanie McCulloch of Guadalupe County, Chelsea Bohannon of Hays County and Judge Brenda Smith.
Volunteer Voices

      

     "We had looked for some area we could volunteer and found CASA to be a vital and important way to contribute."

 

     "We have noticed that the CASA Volunteer can be a huge support to children going through tough transitions." 

 

     "As CASA Volunteers, we can be a positive influence to children by just showing they are important and worthwhile and we want them to be happy and successful."

 

     Joe and Shay Timmins, CASA Volunteers since 2008, are also members of the Community Outreach Team. They attend community events to talk about their role as volunteers and the need for more advocates for children.

Become a CASA Volunteer
Calvin and Sonya Rodriguez, CASA of Central Texas Advocates since 2011

2015 New Volunteer Trainings

     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




San Marcos CASA office


Wednesdays

June 24 thru July 29

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm  


Wednesdays

August 12 thru Sept. 16  

4:30 pm to 8:30 pm

 

Wednesdays

Oct. 7 thru Nov. 11

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm 

 

Saturdays 

Oct. 17 thru Nov. 21   

8:30 am to 1:30 pm
New Braunfels CASA office

 

Thursdays

June 25 thru July 30

4:30 pm to 8:30 pm

 

Thursdays

August 13 thru Sept. 17

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

 

Thursdays

Oct. 8 thru Nov. 12

4:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Honoring Dedication and Advocacy 

    

     CASA Volunteers were honored on April 30th at our Spring 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 the goal of providing a CASA for every child in care.

 

Carolyn Lin?r - Served on an abuse case involving 3 girls. "They got to a permanent place quickly because of Carolyn."

 

Judy Godinez - Served on her case for 4 1/2 years. "She said she would be there and was in every sense of the word. She was instrumental in getting him adopted at age 17."

 

Mikki Tharp - Served on a case in which the parents had lengthy criminal pasts. "She dug into the details and was attentive to the little girl's developmental, emotional and medical needs."

 

Shawn McCormick - Served on a case with three children and multiple placements. "Shawn was an amazing advocate. She was a great resource for all of the placements. The children loved her and appreciated everything she did." 

 

Tarah Parsons - Served on a case with two little girls whose parents had drug issues but worked their services and the children were reunified with them. "Tarah had a positive relationship with the entire family and it motivated the parents to see people were helping."

 

Susan Hankins - Served on a case with a baby after the parent's rights had been relinquished. "Susan stayed on top of the issues made sure all the parties on the case were always informed."

 

Dorothy Walker - Served on a case with a teenager for one year. "Thank you for all your conversations and for being there. (The youth) opened up to Dorothy more than anyone else."

 

Lynn Culver - Served on a case with one male teen. "Susan kept track of prescription changes, helped him with homework, went to football games, and spent good quality time with him."

 

Jackie Musto, Gillian Siemens and Jerret Swierc- Serve on cases where the children have been placed in Permanent Managing Conservatorship of the state within the last six months.

 

 

  Pictured l-r are honorees who attended the lunch: Jerret Swierc, Jackie Musto, Tarah Parsons, Shawn McCormick, Carolyn Lin?r, Gillian Siemens, Dorothy Walker, Susan Hankins, Mikki Tharp, Lynn Culver and Judy Godinez.  

Voices Tour Information Sessions Voices

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

 

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.  
Take a Road Trip with the Wing Society

 

     All CASA of Central Texas Advocates are invited to the Wing Society's Annual Meeting and Social. Come mix and mingle with other CASA volunteers and share about your experiences.

 

June 6 WingSocial
Annual Meeting at 5:30 p.m., Advocate Social at 6:30 p.m.
Dick's Classic Garage
120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos

Advocates get to know each other at a previous Wing Society Social.
 
     For more information or to RSVP, contact Debbie Haynes by email.

 

     The Wing Society is an auxiliary group whose mission is to support, enhance and sustain CASA of Central Texas. Membership is open to both advocates and other volunteers. For more information on the Wing Society, click here.  

Volunteer Continuing Education  CE
      

     Project Embrace gave an informative and enlightening presentation to our CASA volunteers on May 2nd at the New Braunfels Public Library.  Talking about the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth in foster care, their advocates highlighted the importance of providing youth with culturally appropriate resources and helping them feel safe with their foster families.

 

     The discussion generated so many wonderful questions that we decided to invite them again for a Part 2!  Look for more information in upcoming newsletters. 

 

      Congratulations to Mikki Tharpe for being the winner of our door prize give-away - a CASA water bottle!

 


  

     On May 21st CASA volunteers heard from San Marcos Police Department Victim Services Coordinator Roya Williamson.  Ms. Williamson spoke about her role with the SMPD making death notifications to families and offering services to crime victims for compensation.  She related this back to CASA work and how CASA volunteers can help families and children entitled to benefits.

 

     Ms. Williamson also has a 20+year career in Mental Health Services and was able to speak briefly on compassion fatigue.

 

     Raffle Winners were Beverly Hoffman and Ron Yates! Congratulations! 

   
CASA of Central Texas volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually. 
First Friday Feast 

     The Geronimo Lions Club will host their next First Friday Feast on June 5th, 2015, and CASA has been chosen as the beneficiary! 

     Make plans to head to
the Red Barn on Cordova Road in Seguin and feast on an awesome dinner - ribeye steak or crispy fried fish PLUS a baked potato, salad and amazing "goodie" bread. Dessert and a drink are included too, all for only $15.00.

     Click here for more information. 
 

Students intern with CASA 


Natally Padron, Social Work Junior at Texas State University

 

Why did you choose to intern with CASA? I love children and I want to do anything possible to help them. When I received my list of volunteer places from my Social Work class this was the first place I called.    

 

What were some of your activities as a CASA intern? I was able to attend court which I had never been to before. I was able to witness the judge's decisions and see what the parents had to say to try and gain back the custody of the children. 

 

What was something that stood out to you during your time as an intern with CASA? The way the volunteers are so dedicated to their clients. They do so much for the children they barely even know and they give so much time to help them. It just shows how much love and passion for helping others can motivate people to do something like this. 

  

What are your future plans? To be the first in my family to graduate with a college degree. I plan on getting my Bachelors in Social Work from Texas State and transferring back to my home town to continue my education and receive my Masters.

 

 

Eriqua King, Criminal Justice Junior at Texas State University 

 

Why did you choose to intern with CASA? I chose to intern at CASA because my mother did foster care for several years and the children all had a CASA volunteer and they have benefited from CASA.

  

What were some of your activities as a CASA intern:? I was able to participate in Family Group conferences, permanency hearings, court, and also lunch with the kids we represent.

 

What was something that stood out to you during your time as an intern with CASA? The CASA supervisors and volunteers devote a lot of time and effort in making sure the children are cared for in an adequate way. 

 

What are your future plans? I plan on graduating in Fall of 2016 and using what I learned in CASA to achieve a job working with an agency specialized in youths at risk or youth in need

May 2015
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Upcoming Events





June

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


6th
Wing Society Annual Meeting and Social
5:30/ 6:30 p.m.
Dick's Classic Car Garage, San Marcos
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


24th
CASA Volunteer Training Begins
1-5 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here


25th
CASA Volunteer Training Begins
4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
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


12th
CASA Volunteer Training Begins
4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office

More info click here


12th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
  
13th
CASA Volunteer Training Begins
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office

More info click here



September

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


9th
Voices To ur
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


13th
CASA Superhero Run 5k
8 a.m.
The Domain, Austin


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


7th
CASA Volunteer Training Begins
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office

  More info click here


8th
CASA Volunteer Training Begins
4:30 p.m. - 8:30 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


17th
CASA Volunteer Training Begins
8:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office

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