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! Use these quick links to get involved.
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- Welcome New CASA Volunteers
- Training Dates
- Holiday Toy Drive
- CASA Training & Support Center Update
- Advocate Appreciation
- Information Sessions
- Save-the-Date April Fundraiser
- Payroll Deductions
- Events Benefiting CASA
- Community Support
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Letter from the Executive Director
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It is a new year, a new decade and another special milestone for us at CASA if Central Texas,
our 35th Anniversary!
In 1984, in New Braunfels, Texas, a grass roots 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 its fourth county, Guadalupe, in 1996.
And now we enter our 35th year with 267 volunteers currently appointed to 335 children. Throughout all of 2019, we served a total of 577 children. We have one facility in New Braunfels and our new Training and Support Center in San Marcos will be complete this year. We are aiming to serve 650 children in 2020 and swear in 100 new volunteers.
How can you make this milestone year special for CASA? Become a volunteer, attend an information session, join our board, donate, invite us to give a presentation. Nothing is too small!
Happy Anniversary to CASA of Central Texas! May 2020 be a year filled with happiness, health and prosperity for all! We look forward to an exciting year!
Thank you,
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Executive Director
CASA of Central Texas
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Welcome New CASA Volunteers
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In the last month of 2019, 12 new CASA volunteers were sworn in!
Thank you to all these wonderful community members who completed an intensive 42-hour training and stepped up to be a voice for children in the court system.
CASA is now enrolling for our 2020 training courses. See dates below.
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Caitlin Quigley
of Hays County was sworn in by The Honorable Judge Melissa McClenahan on December 4th.
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The last class of 2019 was sworn in at the annual
Advocate Appreciation Mixer on December 11.
Back row l-r:
Jacob Sloan
of Hays County,
Bren Locricchio
of Hays County,
Terri Hansen
of Hays County
, District Judge Jack Robison, District Judge Dib Waldrip, District Judge Bruce Boyer, Comal County Court at Law Judge Charles Stephens, Staff Member
Nick Lopez
of Hays County,
Kelly Engram
of Hays County.
Front row l-r: Staff member
Elizabeth Pena
of Comal County
,
Jessie Merlos
of Hays County
,
Daniela Llamas Rodriguez
of Hays County
,
Abigail Guerra
of Hays County
, Comal County District Attorney Jennifer Tharp,
Anna Sweeney
of Hays County
,
Lynne Myers
of Hays County
,
Brock Williams
of Comal County and
Celestial Edmonson
of Hays County
.
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Upcoming Volunteer Trainings
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Become a CASA Volunteer in 2020
January 8 - February 5
5 - 9 p.m.
January 9 - February 6
1 - 5 p.m.
January 25 - February 8
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Seguin Public Library
February 19 - March 18
1 - 5 p.m.
February 20 - March 19
5 - 9 p.m.
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For more information on training courses, contact Layla Coleman at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272, or by
email.
One-hour pre-training interview to occur at least one week before start of each training cycle. Mandatory 10-hour online class to be completed during the training cycle.
Application deadline prior to each cycle is two weeks before start of training. Submit your volunteer application
here
.
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This year, more than 220 requests came in from our children for the Holiday Toy and Gift drive. And, b
ecause of you, every volunteer who a requested a gift for their CASA child received a present, picked specially for them.
"I wish I knew the people who donated to my kiddos because this is beyond awesome! I was really moved by the personalized stockings, so sweet and special to know people genuinely care about these kids that they don't even know. I know that it will touch their hearts that "non blood" care about them. So, thank you for everything and, if you know who helped my CASA kids have a very merry Christmas, please let them know how appreciated they are!"
~CASA of Central Texas Volunteer
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Thank you to the individuals and organizations who participated!
Amie Bradshaw, Banana Republic San Marcos Outlet, Becky and Gene Lake, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, Buda United Methodist Church, Christian Kendle, Corridor Title, Dawn K. Gibson LCSW and Warrior Girls Rising®️Program, Deana Winston, Fuchs and Springs Community Group of Rachael and Josh Fuchs, Elena and John Smith, Tate and Tim Smith, Taylor and John Almquist, and Becca and Garrett Mechler, Gabrielle O'Connor, Generations Reality Group, Grandma’s Stocking Guild, Greater San Marcos Partnership, Greg & Kimberly Hammonds, Horton Draperies of Texas, Jessica Limbo, Kelle Salter and grandchildren Madison, Rylee, Sarah and Tinley, KidVentures Therapy Services Teen Social Group, Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt staff, Kyle & Kari Reed, Kyle United Methodist Church, Lilly family Ryan, Donnielle, Aidan and Nathan, Maree Sagers, Mark Roney and Charlotte Sullivan, Megan Jansen, Shanna Payne-Walsh, Sophia Barnard, St. Thomas Catholic Church, San Marcos Chamber Advanced Networking Group, Taylor Milstead, Unlock The PPO, Verizon Indirect Team - San Antonio and
Woods Cycle Country.
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CASA of Central Texas invites you to be a part of a very special, yet limited, commemorative opportunity with and e
ngraved brick paver installed near the main entrance of our new facility.
Personalized pavers are a great way to honor a friend, volunteer, staff member or group; memorialize a loved one; encourage your favorite CASA volunteer; or show your family’s appreciation for CASA and our children, while leaving a lasting tribute in your name.
We hope each and every CASA supporter will buy in to this unique opportunity and pave the way for impact!
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LAST CALL for brick pavers
is January 15th.
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Thank you to our project partners
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CASA Volunteers were thanked and new volunteers were welcomed at the annual Advocate Appreciation on December 11th at Villa at Gruene.
Everyone enjoyed great food, great music and great company..
CASA of Central Texas thanks all of our volunteers who worked so hard for the children in our community in 2019, and we look forward to the new year with you!
See new volunteers join the CASA family in the video!
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"Voices" Information Sessions
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Learn more about CASA at one of our upcoming Information Sessions
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New Braunfels
Wednesday, January 8th, noon
CASA office
Seguin
Monday, January 13, noon
Seguin Public Library
Buda
Monday, January 13th, 6:30 p.m.
Buda Public Library
San Marcos
Wednesday, January 15th, noon
Historic County Courthouse, 1st floor conference room
Bulverde
Monday, January 27, 6:30 p.m.
Mammen Family Public Library
Schertz
Monday February 3, noon
Schertz United Methodist Church
Canyon Lake
Monday, February 3, 6:30 p.m.
Tye Preston Memorial Library
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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.
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Please RSVP by
email
or at 830-626-2272
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Save-the-Date for CAMP CASA
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CASA of Central Texas' Annual Dinner & Auction
Join us at
CAMP CASA
-every child deserves to be a happy camper-
Honorees:
Caldwell County - Leonard Germer
Comal County - Belinda and Ron Frisk
Guadalupe County - Linda Douglass
Hays County - Laura Dupont
Friday April 3rd 2020
6:30 pm
Chandelier of Gruene
1924 Bretzke Lane, New Braunfels, TX
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Payroll Deductions for CASA
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State and Federal employees may give to CASA of Central Texas through payroll deductions under the State Employee Charitable Campaign and the Combined Federal Campaign. Watch for Campaign drives at your office, or talk to your Human Resources Representative for information.
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State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC)
CASA of Central Texas Code:
#475017 (Capital Area)
#475030 (San Antonio Area)
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Combined Federal Campaign
(CFC)
CASA of Central Texas Code:
#60661
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Events Benefiting CASA
CASA of Central Texas welcomes community initiatives to help promote awareness and funding for our program. By taking on this type of project, event organizers assume the responsibility of creating a successful event without a significant level of assistance from CASA. All special events and fundraising efforts conducted to benefit CASA are run by financially responsible and reputable organizations and individuals motivated by a genuine desire to help CASA. If you are interested in hosting a third-party fundraiser to benefit CASA, please review these
guidelines
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Four Rivers Association of REALTORS
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Pedernales Electric Cooperative
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Baptist Health Foundation
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