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CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.
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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.
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Letter from the Executive Director 
As Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month comes to an end, I am reminded of the saying "it takes a village to raise a child." In the fight against child abuse, we must all join together. In 2014, there were 1,240 children in the CASA of Central Texas four-county service area (Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays) that were confirmed victims of abuse and neglect. These children are the true definition of the word victim. Through no fault of their own, their lives have been turned upside down. Even the ones who are fortunate enough to have had their abuse reported still face the turbulent waters of foster homes, court appearances and separation from their family and all that is familiar. CASA's passionate and dedicated advocates are working with these children to ensure they receive the attention and help they need, but one organization can not tackle the issue alone. It takes the whole community. We thank all of our local communities and partner agencies who recognize that child abuse and neglect is a real concern and needs local action. We deeply appreciate the individuals and the community leaders who proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, announcing they are committed to this fight. I encourage each person reading this to stop for just a moment in our busy activities and think about the children who are suffering in silence. We ask for you to make a commitment to make sure these children get a fair chance at life. Although the month of April will end with the flip of the calendar, abused and neglected children will continue to need our voices until each and every one has been given the safety and security they deserve to grow and thrive.
Thank you,
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
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Welcome New CASA Volunteers
Welcome to our newest CASA Volunteers, sworn in on April 21st. Pictured (l-r) are: Michael Vybiral of Comal County, Norma Baldwin of Comal County, (Judge McClenahan), Megan Rutledge of Hays County and Adam Wilson of Comal County.
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Be A Part of the Big Give
The 2nd Annual Big Give San Antonio is an online giving day dedicated to raising funds and awareness for nonprofits throughout South Central Texas, and CASA of Central Texas is participating!
For 24 hours you can go online and pledge your support to CASA!
All donations on May 5 give CASA the opportunity to earn matching funds and prize incentives. This means that your gift has the capacity to leverage additional funding. You can give by smart phone, tablet, or computer. Minimum donation is $10. There is not a maximum donation. CASA has already secured a $20,000 dollar-for-dollar match! That means your donation is essentially doubled!
To make an in-person donation or to join us as we watch the support come in, join us and KNBT Radio New Braunfels at the New Braunfels CASA office May 5th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for our Open House and Watch Party. Drop in anytime to grab some lunch, learn about CASA, show your support and watch the donations come in!
The Big Give San Antonio
May 5 midnight - May 6 midnight
Find and donate to CASA of Central Texas here:
https://www.thebiggivesa.org/#npo/casa-of-central-texas1 |
Counties, Cities Recognize April
Local government officials read proclamations throughout the month, officially recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Thank you for your support!
The Cities of Buda, Cibolo, Dripping Springs, Garden Ridge, Lockhart and Martindale also made proclamations.
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Become a CASA Voluntee
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| Calvin and Sonya Rodriguez, CASA of Central Texas Advocates since 2011. |
Upcoming Trainings:
Wednesdays
4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
May 6 thru June 3
San Marcos CASA office office
Thursdays
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
May 7 thru June 4
New Braunfels CASA office
Training sessions will also begin the following weeks:
Week of June 21 Week of August 9
Times and locations TBA To learn more about training sessions, contact Training Coordinator Debbie Haynes at 512-392-3578 or by email.
For more information on becoming a volunteer, click here. |
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Volunteer Voices
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Bob Williams, CASA Volunteer since 2010
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"CASA was familiar as I was involved in founding a CASA program in New Mexico in 1987. I was looking for a challenging volunteer opportunity and a way to help teens who had been 'dealt all the tough cards'. "
"I have been the only adult in my child's life that is always there for him. Placements, schools, teachers, therapists, probation officers - all the adults - are constantly being replaced or changing. These teens have no stability and no one to trust, except their CASA." "You will bring to bear all the experience of your lifetime in advocating for your child within the various agencies and with involved people. The judge will depend on you for informed advice on the best welfare for the child. You will be the eyes and ears of the court. Do it! Volunteer! Be a CASA! |
Golfers, Volunteers Wanted
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To register or for more information, click
here.
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San Marcos and Kyle Chick-fil-As are hosting their annual Cow Classic Golf Tournament and have once again chosen CASA as one of the beneficiaries. May 22nd
Registration at 8 a.m.
Shotgun start at 9 a.m.
Quail Creek Country Club
San Marcos Raffles, Mulligans, and "Hit the Cow" competitions available. If you hit the cow, you get free Chick-fil-A for a year. Lunch, awards and prizes following. As a way to support the event, CASA is looking for volunteers to help at the tournament. If you would like to help, please email Jerret Swierc.
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Voices Tour Information Sessions
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.
Voices Tours
New Braunfels
CASA office
First Wednesday of each month - Noon
San Marcos
CASA office
Second Wednesday of each month - Noon
Please RSVP to Eloise Hudson by email or at 830-626-2272.
Lunch provided by Fox's Pizza Den in New Braunfels and Chick-fil-A in San Marcos.
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Fostering Futures
In 2014, CASA of Central Texas was awarded a Fostering Futures grant which aims to help CASA volunteers guide older youth to successfully transition out of foster care into independent living as young adults. With funding from National CASA, volunteers undergo extra training online and in person to be able to work effectively with youth ages 14-21. "It is a really interesting training. Definitely eye-opening and things I had just never thought about before. Anyone who is going to be a CASA for older teens really should take this training." - CASA of Central Texas Advocate Robbie Hawkins. If you are interested in accessing to this online training please email Volunteer Coordinator Samantha Mundine. This training counts for 3 hours of Continuing Education credit. |
Volunteer Continuing Education
On Saturday April 25th CASA volunteers heard from San Marcos Police Department Homicide Detective Sandra Spriegel on the topics of Domestic Violence, Primary Aggressor and Strangulation. Attendees were shown police training footage as well as actual cases from Hays County. Raffle Winners were Rosa Hernandez and Michael Kovalski.
Join us for our next CE trainings in May:
May 2nd - LGBTQ Issues and Foster Children at the New Braunfel Library. Click here to learn more about this upcoming training.
May 21st - Victim Services & CASA in San Marcos. Click here to learn more about this upcoming training.
CASA of Central Texas volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually.
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Long-Term Commitment 
CASA of Central Texas is proud to have five staff members who have been with the program for more than 10 years. Casework Supervisor, Lonnette LaBorde, is one of those employees and has been with the program since 2001.
Lonnette was working for the Department of Family and Protective Services in Austin as a conservatorship caseworker when she was first introduced to CASA volunteers. "CASA volunteers were my saving grace. One of the CASA's flew with me to Chicago to place a 9 and 11 year old with relatives. I was so impressed that this person traveled with these children to help them feel comfortable and safe and meet their new family in person. I will never forget the volunteer or those children. I would recognize them today."
"When I introduce myself to our volunteer training classes I always start by expressing the admiration I have for them. "Volunteer" does not come close to encompassing the deep passion and commitment of our advocates. They are incredible people." "Truly, the advocates, my leader and co-workers have kept me here for so long. Child abuse and advocacy will be a lifetime cause for me but this team has kept me at CASA of Central Texas. We are all here for one another when days in court don't go so well." "We need advocates more than ever. Not to be cliche', but times are changing and I have seen the changes first hand over the last 20 years. There's more stress for families which unfortunately leads to more substance abuse, mental health issues, child abuse and neglect." "Being a CASA may not be an easy commitment but it will be the most rewarding!" |
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CASA in the Keys
Thank you to everyone who celebrated CASA in the Keys 30th Anniversary on April 10th, and to all those who have supported CASA over the last 30 years. We will continue to work diligently toward the goal of providing a trained CASA volunteer to every child in State care!
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Airforce Turbine Service
Archie and Donna Dishman
Kasha Corp
Mariposa at Hunter Road Apartments
Tomblin Family Foundation (2)
Board Member Kathy Dial
Children's Dental Ark
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System
Germer Farms
Miller & Miller Insurance/
State Representative Doug Miller
Robin and David Pfeifer
Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
Texas Lehigh Cement Co.
Whataburger
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CASA in the Community
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| CASA Volunteers and Outreach Team Members Sonya Rodriguez, Calvin Rodriguez and Mary Hodges hosted a CASA information table and activity at the New Braunfels Crawfish Festival on April 25th. |
Community Events are a great way to recruit volunteers and get the word out about CASA. It is a chance to meet with people one-on-one and talk about the role of a CASA volunteer. If you know of a community event for CASA to participate in, please contact Eloise Hudson.
Upcoming Community Events
The CASA Community Outreach Team will participant in these community events. Stop by and say hi!
Saturday, May 2nd Belk charity sale info booth Time: 6-10 a.m. Location: Belk department store, New Braunfels Saturday, May 2nd Run for the Hills 5k info booth Time: 8-10 a.m.
Location: Bulverde Senior Center
Saturday, May 2nd
Hays Fiesta Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: City Square Park, Kyle Saturday, May 9th Kops and Kids info booth Time: 11 am - 2 p.m.
Location: Landa Park, New Braunfels Saturday, May 16th Connections Family Fun Day info booth Time: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location: Gruene Harley-Davidson New Braunfels Friday, May 22nd Chick-fil-A golf tournament benefiting CASA Time: Morning and afternoon Location: Quail Creek Country Club San Marcos |
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Stay Connected
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Upcoming Events
May
2nd
Volunteer
Continuing Education
10 a.m. - noon
New Braunfels Public Library
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
5th
6th
CASA Volunteer Training
4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
7th
CASA Volunteer Training
4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
13th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
21st
Volunteer
Continuing Education
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location TBA
22nd
Chick-fil-A Cow Classic
7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Quail Creek San Marcos
More info click here
June
3rd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
6th
Wing Society Annual
Meeting
6 p.m.
Dick's Classic Car Garage, San Marcos
10th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
16th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
18th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
Seguin GVEC Community Room
More info click here
21st
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here
July
1st
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
8th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
August
5th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
9th
CASA Volunteer Training
Times and Location TBA
More info click here
12th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
September
2nd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
9th
Voices To
ur
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
11th
Guadalupe County Fundraiser
6:30 - 10 p.m.
Big Red Barn
More info click here
13th
CASA Superhero Run 5k
8 a.m.
The Domain, Austin
15th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
17th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
Seguin GVEC Community Room
More info click here
October
7th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
14th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
November
5th
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
12th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
December
3rd
Voices Tour
Noon -1 p.m.
New Braunfels CASA office
More info click here
10th
Voices Tour
Noon - 1 p.m.
San Marcos CASA office
More info click here
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