CASA Up Close | April 2021
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.
In this Issue
  • April Proclamations
  • Information Sessions - by Zoom!
  • Training Dates - by Zoom!
  • Advocate Spotlight
  • Continuing Edication
  • Monthly Giving
  • CASA Yard Signs
  • Champions fore Charity
  • CAMP CASA
  • Child Abuse Prevention Training
  • Community Support
  • Events Benefiting CASA
Letter from the Executive Director

"Why the color BLUE? I never intend to forget the battered, bruised bodies of my grandchildren. Bruises are black, then eventually BLUE. Therefore, blue serves as a constant reminder to me to fight for our children. Everyday, I pray that our children will be allowed to hear the sounds of a different drummer.
Bonnie Finney, Norfolk, Va., 1989, creator of BLUE movement

April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and each year, I ask you to "Go BLUE " in April. For me, it is about not letting the issue of child abuse be ignored. This topic is not talked about enough, until it makes headlines involving tragedy. This April, I want the color BLUE to stand for something positive - communities working together to protect our children.

Now is the time to take action. Attend one of CASA's Virtual Information Sessions. Fill out a volunteer application online. Become a volunteer. Make a donation to help more children. That is how you can Go BLUE this month.

Let's also turn social media BLUE. Update your profile picture to a BLUE ribbon or background. Share our posts about becoming a CASA volunteer. Share posts about the children who need us.

I thank our local Counties and Cities committing to the fight against child abuse by signing their own proclamations recognizing the month. See the calendar below and attend a proclamation to show you support your community's fight against child abuse.

Dedicated CASA volunteers work year round to protect the children. It is fitting that we celebrate these great people during National Volunteer Week, April 18 - 24. And, the children we serve will be recognized during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the same week.

This April, take a stand, speak your voice, and Go BLUE !
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Executive Director
CASA of Central Texas
Cities, Counties, Blue in April
ribbon


Government leaders will read proclamations throughout April to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The community is invited to attend and show support.
See Calendar below.
Thank you Comal County Commissioners for kicking off the month with a proclamation on April 1.
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 join us on Zoom!
If these times don't work for you, contact Eloise Hudson and she can do a 1-1 at your convenience!
Meeting times:

Mondays
10 a.m.

Wednesdays
5 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays
Noon
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Use this link to join us at any of the times above!

Become a CASA Volunteer
Advocate Training Courses
Held online via Zoom

Wednesdays
May 12 to June 9 
1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursdays
May 13 to June 10
5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Application deadline prior to each cycle is two weeks before start of training.

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.

For more information on training courses, contact Brandi Raschke at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272, or by email.
Advocate Spotlight
Bruce Drobeck accepted his first case as a CASA in 2009. He recently closed his fourth case and looks forward to taking another one soon. Bruce has served 4 cases during his eleven years, one was for 4 years and another for 6. That's tremendous dedication! Bruce's talents match well for helping teenage boys - by modeling positive and meaningful relationships.

Bruce says that being a CASA is one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. He enjoys all aspects of being a court-appointed guardian ad litem, including working as part of a team with CASA, CPS, placements and other service providers. Bruce’s communications skills have been a strength. He also travels great distances (to Tyler and Waco) to visit the youth; that is, prior to the COVID pandemic!

In his professional career, Bruce educated college students in the areas of family and life-span development at North Texas and Texas State University. He is currently enjoying his recent retirement. Bruce has been married to wife Sharon for 43 years and has a daughter, son and three grandchildren who he visits with as much as he can.
Continuing Education for Volunteers
In March, Lori Linn and Carla Merritt with Cenikor Foundation, provided an overview to CASA Volunteers about the signs and symptoms of substance abuse.

Lori highlighted drug classifications (stimulants, central nervous system depressants, hallucinogens) and common drugs. Lori delved into the drug epidemics of the decades: cocaine in the late 1980s, methamphetamines in the early 2000s, and now opioids. She pointed out that although drug epidemics may shift over time, the child welfare system continues to see families affected by substance use disorders. 
 
There are developmental, environmental, social, and genetic factors that affect whether and how a person develops a substance use disorder. And while it is an individual disorder, Lori stated that she prefers to call it a family disorder because it affects the individual’s family. Similarly, recovery and well-being occurs in the context of the family.
 
If you or someone you know is in need of treatment or support, please call Cenikor’s hotline at 888-236-4567. All communication is confidential.
Monthly Giving

Consistent advocacy for our children is strengthened by sustaining support from our generous donors!

Click HERE to set up a monthly gift to CASA!
CASA Yard Signs
Show your support for CASA right in your own front yard or place of business! CASA yard signs are now available! Help us 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.
Fundraising fore CASA
The Valero Texas Open takes place now until Sunday, April 4, and there is no better time to donate to CASA of Central Texas through Champions fore Charity!

By making a donation here today, you will help us train and support community volunteers to serve as advocates for children in child protection court.

As a no-cost fundraising program, Champions fore Charity is committed to giving all the funds raised through the Valero Texas Open back to local schools and charities, like CASA. Plus, they offer a 7% match on top of that. If this sounds too good to be true, we assure you it’s not!

In even more exciting news, CASA of Central Texas made the list of the Top 50 Fundraisers! This qualifies us for at least an extra $500 through their Zachry Group Pro-Am Charity Challenge. Become a champion now here before online giving closes on Friday, April 9.
Save the Date - CAMP CASA
It is with great pleasure that CASA of Central Texas is hosting
our annual fundraising celebration!

You are invited to Camp CASA, Where Every Kid Deserves to be a Happy Camper!

We truly appreciate your support and hope you join us for this evening to benefit the children in our communities.

August 20, 2021 at 6:30 pm
The Chandelier of Gruene

HONOREES
Caldwell County - Leonard Germer
Comal County - Belinda and Ron Frisk
Guadalupe County - Linda Douglass
Hays County - Laura Dupont

Sponsorship and ticket information Here
Thank you to our sponsors:
Stargazer

Guiding Arrows
Happy Camper
Broadway Bank
Walk. Run. Thrive
Walk or run anywhere to help children and youth thrive! On May 1-2, 2021, join supporters across the nation for Walk. Run. Thrive., a virtual event to raise awareness for the National CASA/GAL Association for Children and its network of programs.

Rather than traveling to one location on a specific race day and time, you can participate however you want and from wherever you are. You get to choose your own day, time and pace! 

With registration, you receive a special Walk. Run. Thrive. shirt. Wear this to raise awareness of our vital mission. Ask others to register and participate with you, virtually or at a safe distance.

Whether you challenge yourself to a 5K or take a leisurely stroll through you're neighborhood, you make an impact. Be a visible part of the nationwide movement that is making a difference in the lives of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Join us as we walk (or run) to help children thrive!
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.
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.
Events Benefiting CASA

CASA of Central Texas welcomes community initiatives to 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.

Double Schotts
Golf Tournament

Benefitting CASA of Central Texas

April 12, 2021

Community Support
San Marcos Lions Club
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. | 830-626-2272 | info@casacentex.org | www.casacentex.org