Letter from the Executive Director |
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As National Adoption Month comes to an end and the Holidays begin, I can not think of a more perfect transition than last week's Adoption Day.
On November 22nd, CASA of Central Texas was privileged to participate in the annual Central Texas Adoption Day - witnessing the final step and legal formation of 9 new families that CASA helped along the journey to become forever homes!
How special this day was for them! Last week they spent their first Thanksgiving as a "forever" family, and now they look forward to the December holidays together.
"I’ve had the privilege of working with these children for several years now. I know they’ve been through a lot to get to this point. I couldn’t be more pleased they found a home. The parents are very invested in their emotional needs. They are both bonded and comfortable in this home and that makes my heart filled with joy because they are great kids and deserve the best. I’m very happy for them."
Shelby G., CASA Volunteer - providing witness testimony to the judge at an adoption hearing.
As the Executive Director of this amazing organization, I am grateful for my own immediate family, as well as for you - our CASA supporters and advocates - who work hard to make these forever families possible. The holidays are better when they are spent with family, especially for children.
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Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Executive Director
CASA of Central Texas
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Welcome New CASA Volunteers |
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11 new CASA Volunteers were sworn in over the last month!
Thank you to these wonderful community members who completed an intensive training curriculum and stepped up to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Many thanks to The Honorable Melissa McClenahan and The Honorable Thomas Stuckey for swearing in a total of 57 CASA of Central Texas advocates in 2021!
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Sworn in on November 16th, welcome: Tony Colliluori of Hays County, Mary Colliluori of Hays County, Jennifer Wallace of Hays County, Sandee Petta of Comal County, Adriana Trueba of Hays County, Hannah Rodrigue of Hays County, Andrea Seal of Comal County, John Love of Hays County, Riann Kitchen of Hays County, Yvette Dizon-Gist of Guadalupe County, and Martha Love of Hays County.
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Sworn in on December 1st, welcome: Ashley Taylor and Megan Walling both of Hays County.
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More than 230 children received gifts
hand-picked for them this year!
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the Holiday Gift Drive. |
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Virtual Information Sessions Online |
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Want to learn more about the role of a CASA Volunteer?
Join our 30-minute information session and hear how our volunteers advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Pick a time that works for you and use the link to register on Zoom!
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Mondays
10 a.m.
Wednesdays
5 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Noon
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Written by CASA Case Supervisor Amanda Salazar
Kerry Bechtel accepted her first CASA case in 2019 and she has been a dedicated advocate now for more than two years!
Kerry has done an amazing job in advocating for the 3 boys on her case. She has been so great to work with and I couldn’t be happier that we were assigned to work together. Her case has been a tough one and quite the roller coaster ride at times but, despite all of the circumstances, Kerry has remained passionate. She created a special bond with the children and is a huge support for the grandmother that will be adopting them. Kerry also plays a tremendous role in ensuring the boys receive the help they need at school to better their education.
Kerry is a former pre-school teacher who taught for 10 years. She is married with 2 boys. Her husband Scott and older son Trent are both now retired from the Army. Her younger son Jaron graduated from Canyon High School in May 2021 and is about to start attending community college in Austin.
We are so grateful for Kerry and her dedication to CASA. We hope she remains as a CASA Advocate for many years to come!
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The Volunteer Training Course is a 6-part series - all 6 classes are required. |
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Upcoming Advocate Training Courses |
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January 5 to February 9
Wednesdays
In Person
New Braunfels
1 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
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January 6 to February 10
Thursdays
Blended
San Marcos for 1st, 4th, and 6th sessions
5 - 8:30 p.m.
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Thinking about becoming a CASA Volunteer but don't know if you are ready?
Don't worry, we have you covered in our 42-hour training curriculum.
Listen to this CASA Chat to hear from new advocate Lisa about how the training prepared her for her first case.
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Application due two weeks prior to training.
One-hour pre-training interview at least one week before start of training.
Mandatory 10-hour online class to be completed during the training cycle.
For more information on training courses,
contact Brandi Raschke at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272, or by email.
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CASA Volunteer Sallie shares her memories of her case,
and you can check out the video for a happy update!
"I was in court when their previous adoptive parents gave them up and I remember feeling so shocked parents would do such a thing and wondered what on earth these kids were like. I thought they must have been awful! Imagine my surprise later when my Supervisor asked me to be the CASA on the case. I was pretty intimidated but I’ve always known God would give me the kids I needed and give me the kids that needed me. The very first time I met the boys, they had been moved to a foster home. Both boys had the best manners and were so smart! They both hugged me and thanked me for coming to visit them. I loved our visit and I loved them. My heart ached for the circumstances they’d been through and were continually going through. I prayed for the wonderful parents they eventually found in Jason and Krista! I am inspired by the entire family’s strength and resiliency! The boys can see they have a bright future ahead of them now!"
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San Antonio couple hopes their decision to
adopt a second time will lead others to do the same
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Non-Profit Organization of the Year |
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Thank you San Marcos Chamber of Commerce for recognizing CASAcentex as non-profit of the year for 2021!
We appreciate the support and recognition of the work our volunteers do in the community!
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With all of our events happening next year,
is there a way you can get involved?
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DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR IRA IS WORTH MORE AS A CHARITABLE GIFT?
An IRA is an excellent vehicle for accumulating assets to use during your retirement – it is not a tax-wise approach for passing down an inheritance. There is a way, however, to use such accounts to their full advantage.
If you are between 59-1/2 and 70-1/2, you can make a charitable gift from an IRA during your lifetime without penalty. If you take distributions from your IRA – even if paid directly to CASA of Central Texas, Inc. – you will report the distribution as taxable income on your tax return in the year of distribution. The advantage of making a gift to CASA of Central Texas is that you will be eligible for a charitable income tax deduction, which may offset the income tax triggered by the distribution.
IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER
If you are 70-1/2 years old or older, you can take advantage of a simple way to benefit CASA of Central Texas and receive tax benefits in return. You can gift from your IRA directly to CASA of Central Texas. Funds must be transferred directly from your financial institution to CASA of Central Texas: the transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction. If you have not yet taken your required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2021, why not consider a portion directly to CASA of Central Texas?
STOCK MAKES A GREAT GIFT!
With stock market gains, your investments are likely worth more today than what you originally paid for them. Time to sell? If you do, you might have to pay capital gains tax. A better option provides valuable tax incentives as well as the satisfaction of supporting a cause close to your heart: gift your stock to CASA of Central Texas!
For more information, contact Development Director Tricia Schneider at 830.626.2272. As always, we advise that you speak with your family and your tax/financial advisor(s) before implementing any gift plan.
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Champions fore Charity has kicked off! CASA receives every penny raised through this fundraising program and a 7% match back. Your donation + a 7% match = 107% Impact.
For more than 20 years, the Valero Texas Open has assisted numerous organizations across Texas. Champions fore Charity provides CASA the opportunity to generate contributions through their tournament. CASA’s giving page is now open for donations here!
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State and federal employees may donate 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
#60661
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Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
Child sexual abuse is an adult issue. One in 10 children in the U.S. will be sexually abused before the age of 18. Darkness to Light ® believes that adults are responsible for the safety of children and that adults should be taking proactive steps to protect children from sexual abuse.
FREE TRAINING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Using an evidence-informed approach, attendees are provided with simple and practical actions to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. This is a free training for anyone who has interactions with children in various community settings. We should strive to not only protect our own children, but all children in our community.
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This training is offered by an authorized facilitator on the fourth Friday of each month. If this schedule does not work for you, you may schedule a different date. Please encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to attend this two-hour training with you as it leads to improved learning through impactful discussion. |
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