Especially during Hispanic Heritage Month, CASA of Tarrant County celebrates and continues its efforts in supporting families in crisis through Hispanic languages and cultures.

Maritza, one of many of CASA’s Spanish speaking volunteers, understands the importance of advocating for her Spanish speaking children that she serves – both to the children and their families. Martiza has been able to establish a connection, and eventual unwavering trust, through their shared language, culture, and personal experiences.

Click here to read more.

"The most rewarding part of being on staff has been working with extraordinarily passionate people with a myriad of talents and variety of backgrounds, all coming together for one cause – to advocate for Tarrant County’s abused and neglected children. We could not do what we do without a strong, supportive team!" Hear more from Eleonor

"One of my kids was standoffish. Her walls hadn't come down. One a visit I just sat with her and hugged her. Her aunt and uncle noticed that all follow on visits she was more talkative and excited to see me." Meet Alicia.

THANK YOU

for joining us at CASA Kids on Canvas!

Your support helps us provide critical advocacy to vulnerable children in foster care in Tarrant County. We raised over $25,000.

See you next year!

8th Annual Pull For Kids Clay Shoot

Calling all sharp shooters! You can change a child’s life and hit your target at the 8th Annual CASA Pull For Kids Clay Shoot!

March 1, 2024 at Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch.

EVENT FEATURES:

• Gun board raffles
• Complimentary lunch, golf carts and giveaways
• Grand prizes for top shooters
• Special First Responders Division and Awards

Learn more

A record Birdies for Charity campaign has driven total charity impact from the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge past the $20 million mark for the first time. Leading up to the 2023 PGA TOUR event at Colonial Country Club, local non-profit groups worked to secure pledges from friends and businesses for the tournament’s annual “Birdies For Charity” campaign. Then the pros did their part by making 1,079 birdies during the championship. We are so happy to be one of the Birdies groups!

Wednesday's Child: This 13-year-old has been in foster care most of his life. His advocates are hoping for a loving family to adopt him



Jefferey is on the autism spectrum and doesn't use a whole lot of words, but he does like talking about Mrs. Carrie Dyck. She is his Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). 

"She gives me a hug. She gives me chicken nuggets. She gives me some fries," he said with excitement.



"When he came into care, he wasn't verbal really, and now he's really verbal," Dyck said. "He's getting more verbal every day. I've known him six years." 

On November 9th, we hosted our annual Volunteer Awards Dinner to recognize the exceptional work of our volunteers, staff, and community leaders to support CASA of Tarrant County, its mission, and the children we serve. Below are our award recipients:

OCOK Representative of the Year – Jackie Wilson Sr.

Attorney Ad Litem of the Year – Christine L. Mazurek

Judge Scott Moore Award – Associate Judge John Eck

Dr. Karyn Purvis Award – Ticket to Dream Foundation

Child Advocacy Specialist of the Year - LaZedrick Blackshire, LMSW

Rookie of the Year – Elizabeth Kirkendoll

Rookie of the Year – Russell Gates

Dynamic Duo – Kyla Richardson and Bethany Gonzalez

Advocate of the Year – Jenny Lamsens

Congratulations!

Kristen Yarbrough, Child Advocacy Specialist, shares a success story with one of her advocates: "I have a volunteer who has a 14-year-old on his case, which was just closed with reunification back to mom. The advocate really has been the glue for this case and was the most consistent person in the case. The case has been open almost two years-went through about 4 case workers, and the advocate was able to communicate to help them stay informed about the case. The child was bored and had a difficult time relating to their peers.

The advocate would visit monthly and stay several hours. She would talk about what ever the child wanted, encouraged them, and accepted them unconditionally. She’s been compassionate, professional, and consistent-and she may not realize it, but I think that played a huge part in the child being able learning to regulate themselves and feel seen. Mom did what she was supposed to do, moved closer to family, and the last report I saw-the child is thriving, has made friends in school, and is being recommended for the gifted talented program at their school. Great work!

Once a child in foster care… now a CASA volunteer

Mackenzie first met a tall man who would become her CASA volunteer when she was just five years old, living in the small town of North Pole, Alaska.

“He had curly hair that looked exactly like mine. I remember him kneeling down and talking to me,” she recalls. “He was so nice—and one of the few people who worked on my case that I have a distinct memory of.” When Mackenzie’s world was big and confusing due to her parents’ court hearings, her CASA was the one adult who made the world feel less uncertain and scary.

“When you’re a child, you get dismissed a lot, and you have a lot of questions,” says Mackenzie. “It’s really nice to have someone check in with you, to allow you to communicate how you’re actually feeling, and to know that your voice matters.”

Years later and many miles from her Alaskan home, Mackenzie was studying communications at TCU and decided to join a sorority. She came across Kappa Alpha Theta and saw they support and fundraise for CASA of Tarrant County – a TCU Theta tradition since 1989. Once Mackenzie heard “CASA,” she knew she found her home on campus.

“We watched a video about a little boy and the monsters under the bed. And I remember sitting there and just crying throughout it because I knew exactly what that felt like,” Mackenzie recalls. “I said, I just miss my family. I miss my home. I don’t know what I’m doing here, but I know I need to be here.”

Today Mackenzie works within the legal system and is a CASA volunteer for three siblings, ranging from 3-13 years old. Because of generous support from donors like you, Mackenzie advocates for these siblings’ best interests and visits the children every month, listening to their fears and helping them feel brave. She helps the siblings’ grandparents navigate their new world of caring for three energetic kids by sharing resources like books and podcasts, and she advocates to teachers to address the kids’ reading challenges.

“The growth that they’ve had in a matter of months has been phenomenal,” says Mackenzie. “A little girl who barely talked to me the first time I met her is now so excited to see me. She runs up and wants to show me everything that’s going on in her little world.”

Her chance to bond with these children—and be a constant in their lives—has also inspired Mackenzie to stay connected to her own siblings, even though they are thousands of miles apart.

You care about children in our community who are looking for stability and a voice – just like Mackenzie. Like her, you want them to know they are going to be loved and cared for no matter what is happening in their lives.

Because of your kindness, advocates like Mackenzie can provide lasting, life-changing support to families in crisis. Mackenzie couldn’t have been a CASA volunteer and couldn’t have been that safe, consistent adult for the kids on her case without your help. 

Your support of CASA is transforming the lives of children and their families. Your compassion has already made a lasting impact on Mackenzie and the children she advocates for, and today, there is a child on our waiting list who needs you. A child like Mackenzie who is waiting for the tall grownup to visit her and help her feel brave.

Without generous support from donors, CASA cannot recruit, train, and match volunteers like Mackenzie to children on our waiting list. That child on our waiting list needs you to give them an advocate who will ensure their voice is heard in and out of the courtroom. 

You and your generosity inspire us to continue to provide a village of support for all children in Tarrant County who find themselves in the foster care system. 

Thank you—for every child’s life you have already impacted with your advocacy, and every life that continues to be transformed by your compassion.