CASA Up Close | December 2022 | |
|
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 21st, CASA of Central Texas was privileged to participate in the annual Central Texas Adoption Day - witnessing the final step for 19 children and legal formation of 11 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.
"We have served as CASA volunteers for four years and this was our first adoption. To see this young person, who is full of life and love, find a family that wants to give them love, safety and opportunity is incredible! It puts into perspective the sometimes overwhelming days of reports and removals and failed placements. It is a process and this time we were lucky enough to experience a true happy ending".
- Kate M., CASA Volunteer, reflecting on Adoption Day
As the CEO 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.
Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season,
| |
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Chief Executive Officer
CASA of Central Texas
| |
A Closer Look at Adoption | |
To help highlight the last month as adoption month, we would like to share an excerpt from a blog from one of our dedicated CASA volunteers, Sharon M. | |
|
A little over two years ago, I received a text that would affect the next two years of my CASA volunteer work. A text involving a darling little boy that needed a CASA.
It was a picture of a little boy, fast asleep, his dark hair swept back, and a canula placed in his tiny nose, with oxygen being pumped through to help him breathe. It took my breath away.
Another text. This TWO-YEAR OLD is in the hospital because he almost overdosed on methamphetamines.
The message was clear: “Ryan needs a CASA!”...
...In the 11 months since, Ryan has had 4 caseworkers. Each one dealing with a growing caseload. And trying to get up to speed on Ryan’s case. And then, there was the paperwork. Files that needed to be redacted. And evaluations that needed to be completed (along with their own set of paperwork).
That’s where I come in. Not that I can help with the paperwork. But I continued to be there for Ryan. Providing each new caseworker with any info they might need in order to move the case (and more importantly, the adoption) along. All the while maintaining contact with Ryan and his foster parents...
...His parents have said they wouldn’t know how to adequately describe to Ryan, everything I’ve been to him throughout these last two-plus years. Truthfully, I don’t know how to adequately describe how much this little boy means to me...
| |
Final CASA Volunteer Swearing in of 2022 | |
|
Welcome New CASA Volunteers!
"You're a very, very important part of my court....You are the eyes and ears and legs for me....I know you have been through a lot of training, a great deal of training....You are well equipped to start this journey."
-Judge Melissa McClenahan
| |
|
1st Row: Aviva Beal of Hays County, Evelyn Guzman of Hays County, Desiree Decker of Hays County and Brandi Raschke -Training Coordinator with CASA of Central Texas.
2nd Row: Karis Crain of Hays County, Kristin Buck of Bexar County, Sonya Vickery of Comal County and Norma Blackwell – CEO of CASA of Central Texas.
3rd Row: Kayla Murphy of Comal County, Michelle Garcia of Hays County and The Honorable Judge Melissa McClenahan
| |
Virtual Information Sessions Online | |
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!
| |
Mondays
10 a.m.
Wednesdays
5 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Noon
| |
|
|
Show your support for CASA right in your own front yard or place of business! CASA yard signs are now available! Help spread the word!
If you know someone in your neighborhood or circle of friends who would like one, grab a handful!
To pick up a CASA of Central Texas yard sign, please email Eloise at ehudson@casacentex.org.
If you have a sign, we would love to see it! Thank you John and Martha Love, current CASA Volunteers, for supporting CASA!
| |
Become a CASA Volunteer in 2023 | |
The Advocate Training Course is a 6-part series - all 6 classes are required. | |
First Training Courses of 2023! | |
|
Wednesdays
January 4 to February 8
New Braunfels CASA office
1- 4:30 p.m.
| |
|
Thursdays
January 5 to February 9
San Marcos CASA office/Zoom
5 – 8:30 p.m.
| |
|
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 advocate Lisa talk about how training prepared her for her first case.
| |
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 Layla Coleman at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272, or by email.
| |
|
To complete her degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from Texas State University, Faith Kellum is completing a 50-hour internship with CASA of Central Texas.
“I chose CASA for my internship because I have always been drawn to helping kids. I have lots of siblings and it makes me happy to be around kids. I want to help kids that are going through this to not feel forgotten or pushed to the side. I want to make them feel important.”
As an intern, Faith has gone on home and daycare visits to children with one of our casework supervisors, attended court hearings, helped with paperwork/organization at the office, and done multiple community outreach events. Her ultimate goal is to obtain her doctorate and open an affordable independent practice that caters to children of low-income families, so that they can access mental health care.
Faith believes that her experience with CASA has given her the confidence she needs to pursue her goals, “On my first home visit, I was exposed to things I had never seen. Having that experience, and knowing I will see kids going through hard times, now I know I can handle it. It gives me confidence that I will be able to help!”
Let’s welcome and thank Faith for her interest and service to CASA!
| |
Sell Your Property, Support CASA | |
|
Classen Realty Group is supporting CASA through property sales until the end of the year!
If you have property to sell, check out the details of their generous offer here.
| |
|
Payroll Deductions for CASA | |
|
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.
| |
|
Champions fore Charity 2023 has kicked off! CASA receives every donation fundraised through this program as well as a 7% match back from Valero. Your donation plus a 7% match equals an impact of 107%.
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 the tournament, which will take place from March 27 to April 2, 2023. CASA’s giving page is now open for donations here!
| |
|
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 strive to not only protect our own children, but all children in our community.
| |
This training is offered by an authorized facilitator on a quarterly basis this year (February 25, May 27, August 26, and November 18, 3-5 PM). If this schedule does not work for you, you may request 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. | |
|
Have an old car taking up space in your driveway? Donate it to CASA of Central Texas! CASA partners with CARS on 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 at 855-500-7433 seven days a week
| |
|
|
Fischer's Neighborhood Market
And all who participated in The Giving Pump
| |
CASA Casework Supervisor Rob Edwards and Mari Nelson, Mensor Cares Chairman | | | | | |
