Dallas CASA volunteer advocate Syed Masood was honored with the Earl G. Graves Award for Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion by his employer, American Airlines. The award is given annually to four employees out of American's workforce of more than 120,000 people.  Syed, who works as an IT senior project manager for the airline, was honored for understanding "that the important lessons of inclusion and diversity are taught in classrooms." He pioneered a joint venture between the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and American and also successfully executed an annual recognition program to honor the contributions of public school teachers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Syed has organized events in the Muslim community to create awareness about the need for foster families. In addition he has coordinated Dallas CASA volunteer recruitment events and fundraisers at American Airlines.  To read more about Syed and his role as a child advocate, visit Dallas CASA's blog .

Most children dream of finding special gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. For children in protective care, life is so uncertain and full of change they can't be sure Christmas is coming. But each child with a CASA volunteer advocate can be assured their holiday dreams will come true. Their advocate gathers their holiday gift wish list, along with practical things like clothing and shoes sizes, and submits it to Dallas CASA. Our very generous corporate and organizational partners then fulfill these wish lists, checking the lists off one by one. Gifts are dropped off at Dallas CASA's offices and organized by members of our Children's Council. As Christmas approaches, advocates retrieve the gifts for their children and deliver the wrapped gifts, ensuring every child's holiday wishes really will come true.  To learn more or to engage your company or organization to become a 2018 Dallas CASA Angel, contact Sharon Balaban .