CASA of the South Plains 2017 Annual Report

CASA’sMission

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA of the South Plains recruits, trains, and supports a diverse community of volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the foster care system. These volunteers serve as Advocates for children that are victims of abuse and neglect and provide these children a voice while their case is in the court system. CASA’s vision is to provide: A CASA Volunteer for every child; who strives to secure a safe, nurturing, permanent environment for every child.

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A message from

OUR LEADERSHIP LE ADERSHIP

Jaclyn Morris, Executive Director

Friends of CASA, As we think about our mission and the goals we worked to achieve last year, I am simply amazed by the CASA community! Every single day, CASA of the South Plains strives for a safe and positive future for all children in foster care. Every activity we are part of, every event we host, and every grant we write supports the goal of serving more foster youth in Lubbock and the South Plains. Our primary goal will always be to ensure their voice is heard in court and their best interest is advocated for each day they are in the foster care system.

CASA’s impact last year included 288 volunteers who advocated on behalf of 622 children in foster care on the South Plains. Of these youth, 235 successfully found a safe, permanent home thanks to their CASA Volunteer. While the impact of this permanency cannot truly be measured in tangible ways, what we can relate is the stories of these community heroes.

CASA Volunteers impact our community and foster youth in such magnificent ways!

They work to build personal long-lasting relationships with our children.

Trent Phillips, 2018 CASA Board President

They push the medical system to review medications to make sure children aren’t being over medicated. They work with the educational system to ensure the educational needs of these children aren’t overlooked during this trying time.

CASA Volunteers go above and beyond to be there when they are needed most and sometimes when they are least expected. They take their advocacy work to heart and fight for these vulnerable children so they are not left to navigate the system alone.

In essence, your support, whether it was in hours donated, financially, or in-kind to CASA, meant that in 2017, forty percent of the children in foster care on the South Plains had an advocate.

While we improved in areas of fundraising, our program goals, and serving more youth in care than we ever have, we still struggle to keep up with the increasing number of children entering foster care right here in our community. There was a 12% increase over 2016, which left 934 foster children without a CASA Volunteer in 2017.

partners, and press for growth to be able to close the gap.

We are dedicated to creating a movement that will work to advance our advocacy and mission.

We cannot do this work alone; it is through the incredible support of donors and volunteers like you that CASA benefits the youth in foster care and our communities on the South Plains.

Thank you for being part of our CASA community, and for helping make a difference in the lives of the children who need us most! We are honored to play our part in this great organization that has the power to transform lives for generations to come.

Jaclyn Morris Executive Director

Trent Phillips 2018 CASA Board President

We as an organization will continue to expand awareness, create meaningful and lasting connections with our community

To learn how you can become a CASA Volunteer or to donate, call (806) 763-2272.

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STAFF & BOARD of DIRECTORS 4

CASA Staff EXECUTIVE

Jaclyn Morris Executive Director Lauren Westerberg Chief Program Officer

PROGRAM

Frances Lofley Advocacy Coordinator LeAnne Lopez Advocacy Coordinator Whitney Owen Advocacy Coordinator

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING Gabe Ballesteros Communications and Marketing Director

RECRUITMENT

Jade Dominguez Director of Advocacy

Karrie Peoples Advocacy Coordinator

Kristen Mata Recruitment Director

Misty Horn Advocacy Team Leader

Taron Scott Advocacy Coordinator

DEVELOPMENT

Amanda Acebedo Advocacy Coordinator

Veronica Uriegas Advocacy Coordinator

Stephanie Anderson Advocacy Coordinator

TRAINING

Arizela Briones Advocacy Coordinator

Mary Jane Ritchey Training Director

Devin McCain Development Associate

ADMINISTRATIVE Amanda White Executive Assistant Hope De La Garza Program Assistant

Board of Directors PRESIDENT

Melissa Raney

VICE PRESIDENT/ TREASURER Trent Phillips

SECRETARY Carol Medlang

MEMBERS

Celeste Botros Dani Brady Kathleen Burrell Elisabeth Burrows Dana Craig Brenda Hill Brian Irlbeck Jeff Jaynes Brad Nelson

To learn how you can become a CASA Volunteer or to donate, visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org.

Alex Jones and Kristen Stephens are celebrating their one year anniversary with CASA of the South Plains as a CoCASA team. They met while attending Texas Tech School of Law where they are both second year law students.

Alex is from Las Vegas, Nevada and has a degree in Political Science. She works at the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney’s Office as an Intern. Her Co-CASA, Kristen is from Georgetown, Texas and has a degree in English. She works as a Chief Medical Scribe at Covenant Medical Center.

Alex and Kristen both moved to Lubbock in 2016 to attend law school and it was during their first year as law students they went to a CASA 101 presentation at the Texas Tech School of Law. It was their desire to help the community that drove them to attend. Alex remembers during that meeting, “We looked at each other and we’re like... we need to do this.” They recall learning they could partner together as a Co-CASA team and Alex says that made all the difference for them. “We found out we could work in a team and that was the most appealing part.”

Kristen noted, “Our case is really emotionally charged” and Alex says Max “is just a quiet guy, and I don’t blame him because of all the stuff he’s been through.” Although the things Max has been through can be frustrating, Alex and Kristen say they turn their emotions into fuel to make things better for Max in the future.

“We truly care about this kid and we want to do whatever we can to make sure that he’s going to be safe and healthy and happy.”

“We’re so emotionally invested now. We truly care about this kid and we want to do whatever we can to make sure that he’s going to be safe and healthy and happy.”

As a Co-CASA team, Alex and Kristen are not only able to split up the responsibilities of their advocacy work, but they have the added benefit of being able to play off each other’s strengths. Kristen makes a lot of the phone calls to therapists and attorneys while Alex does the majority of the writing.

They partner together to check on Max, make visits, and to call family members. Alex feels that having a partner has allowed her to be more creative in her CASA work and Kristen believes it has given her an extra cushion for ensuring things are taken care of.

Alex and Kristen agree the work of CASA Volunteers on the South Plains is powerful and they know the support of the community is critical to ensuring CASA can continue to make a positive impact.

Alex says, “I think the work that we do, it actually makes an impact on not just the kid’s life but on the community at large.”

Kristen agrees, “It does make a really profound impact on the community. It’s really important for CASA to be successful in the community. There has to be support and a lot of that has to come from within the community.”

As Alex and Kristen continue to be a voice for Max’s best interest, they realize with all of their interviewing and investigating, his outcome would be a lot different if it were not for CASA. Alex noted “There are so many things that happened in this case that we’ve helped with.” As they discuss plans for their next court hearing, Kristen says they are getting ready by “making a list, point by point, of things that need to be said that others might not say.” The reason for their work, says Alex, is Max. “It’s all about him, it’s not about us. He is worth it.

All these kids are. They really are.”

To learn how you can become a CASA Volunteer or to donate, call (806) 763-2272.

ADVOCATE SPOTLIGHT

Alex Jones and Kristen Stephens, Co-CASA Volunteers

Alex and Kristen were sworn-in by a Judge in March 2017 and began their CASA journey together. They were assigned to advocate for a 10 year old boy named Max who was removed from his parents due to allegations of human trafficking and methamphetamine use in the home.

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VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES 6

Amanda Acebedo Griselda Acevedo Jose Agundiz Amy Aiello Tamara (Dee) Akers Leena Al-Souki Patrick Aland Kathy Ancell Maria Andazola Charles (Chuck) Anderson Stephanie Anderson Linda Archer Brianna Argueta Constance Arismendez Ethan Arismendez Lacey Arismendez Anne Armstrong Ragan Armstrong Desiree Arredondo Lillian Arzaghi Lenora Ask Jerilyn Austin Kiley Aycock Amber Bailey Salina Ball Charles Barron Craig Bednarz Freda Bell Hunter Bernays Fran Bessire Suzanne (Sue) Blair Deborah Board Sarah Board Shelby Brake Arizela Briones Charla Brosius Jessica (Jessie) Brown Norma Brown Virginia (Ginger) Brown Dan Burns Cheryl Butler Ashley Cash Elizabeth (Ann) Casstevens Kenny Catney Stephen (Steve) Chadwick Kasey Chester Charles (Stu) Childre Cooper Ciccarelli Katherine (Kathy) Clark Richard Clark William (Bill) Cooley Tiffany Coomer David Cooper Christina Corley Geniva Covarrubio Raymond (Ray) Cragar Jordan Daniels Kayla Daniels Alisa Davenport

Janese Davis Calvin Day Danielle DeLisle Christina Dickson Lisa Dixon Jade Dominguez Daniel (Craig) Dominy Mary Duenes Earnstein Dukes Claire Dulaney Audrey (Jean) Dunlap Danetta Durrett Deanna Edwards Bart Elliott Nancy (Delese) Ellison Lusia Espinoza Manuela Espinoza Donna Fleischman Mandi Flores Bobbie (Gail) Forrester William (Bill) Fuller Donna Garcia Heather Garrison Laura George

Clinton Hobdy Kendra Homer Steven Homer Misty Horn Austin (Ryan) Hopping Bruce Hyman Brian Irlbeck Terri Irlbeck Cande Jackson Rhonda Jackson Jenna Jenkins-Reid Sarah Johnson Alexandra (Alex) Jones Channa Jones Jeremy Jones Kim Jordan Cheri Kemp Joseph Kiff Michelle Kiser Kim Klotzman Terri Koch Haley Krueger Carolyn Lackey Cynthia Lampkin

The CASA Difference!

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New CASA Volunteers

Susan Glover Carmen Gomez Patricia (Michelle) Gonzales David Gonzalez Samantha Gonzalez Dazrene (Dee) Grant John Gray Robin Grimes Traci Harris Shirley Hartman Nefer Hernandez Shawna Hernandez Glenda Hicks Kim Hoage

Nicole (Stephanie) Laughlin Belva Lester Susan (Denise) Lieb Don Locchi Francis Lofley Brooke Loftis Sophie Loika Ashley Lomeli Guzman LeAnne Lopez Michael Ludvik Paige Lyons Lindsey Maestri James Mahan Barbara Malone

To learn how you can become a CASA Volunteer or to donate, visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org.

Karrie Peoples Lee Perez Kathy Perkins Russell (Rusty) Perkins Katherine Peters Kasey Pohlmeier Margaret (Beth) Pressley Patricia Price Hannah Putnam Francy (Fran) Reed Katy Rendon Jenna Renfroe Charles (Sandy) Ridenour Donna Ridenour Sherry Robinson Heather Rothwell Sarah Rothwell Danielle Rubio Jonna Russell Sandra Sauceda Jill Scheer-Doerfert Dave Schroeder Kris Schroeder Sharla Shivers Cynthia Shute James Shute Audrey Sirmon Jessie Sjue Tamia Slack-Walker Judy Smith Philip (Phil) Smith Betty Spain Kenneth (Ken) Spain Lindsay Spiegelberg Michelle Spitzer Kristen Stephens Cindy Stockton Rachel Stolp Ty Stolp

Russell Stratton Sandra Stratton Carolyn Sue Pam Sumrall Monique Swartz Alexandra (Alex) Taylor Ashlee Taylor Felicia Taylor Rosalinda Taylor Sharon Thiel Laurie Thobe Lindsay Thompson Samantha Torrez Tiffanie Trammel-Lambrelli Deborah (Debbie) Tschauner Oneal Underwood Veronica Uriegas Troy Vanderburg Donna Vernon Tami Vernon Tamara (Tammy) Vickers Alexis Wagner Roxanne Walker Andrew (Drew) Walston Kelci Walthall David (Brooks) West Lauren Westerberg Deborah White Tommy White Daniela Wiede Mindy Wilkins Elizabeth Williams Gladys Williams Jana Williams Joy Williams Lexie Wilson David Wolfe LaShawn Yelling

The CASA Difference!

622 Children in foster care served

To learn how you can become a CASA Volunteer or to donate, call (806) 763-2272.

VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES

Angela (Christy) Marchbanks Melody Marrow Kristen Mata Deborah (Debbie) Martin Lisa Martinez Tabitha Martinez Denise Mattson Gene Maxwell Devin McCain Jake McCain Stephanie McCutchen Jessica McLarty Benita (Wendy) Medina Kerre Messer Heidi Metzler Mike Metzler Caren Miller Vicki Milner Emily Montoya Jerry Moore Norma Moore Susan Morris Evan Morton Sarah Mulkey Rita Nash Brad Nelson Trisha Nielsen Christy Nix Danielle Novier Hollie O’Neil Frances (Fran) Oliver Whitney Owen Becky Palmer Bryan Palmer Courtney Pardue Mary Pasewark Bernadette (Bunny) Payne Louise Pendleton Mary Penny

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT

What makes CASA of the South Plains so special are the hundreds of volunteers and donors who give of their time or treasure to help further our mission. Every year, we like to spotlight a donor whose gifts have made an impact on our agency. This year, we’re featuring The Community Foundation of West Texas.

They serve the Texas South Plains area by offering people a variety of ways to touch their community through philanthropic giving.

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For several years, the Foundation has supported CASA through their grant programs and the facilitation of employer matching gifts for various companies. Not only are they always great to work with and very interested in hearing about our agency, they have given our program over $100,000 and have in turn helped hundreds of volunteers and children in foster care in our community.

Most recently, they awarded CASA $2,500 through their grant program to help fund much needed operational improvements to ultimately help us grow and sustain our Volunteer Advocacy Program.

Their business is “building community” and it is very apparent to us at CASA that their support of so many worthy causes has helped improve the South Plains community.

As we reflect on the past and celebrate our 25th Anniversary, we recognize we could not be here without the support of donors and friends like the Community Foundation of West Texas.

The community problem addressed by CASA is multifaceted. We work diligently to address the issues of victim assistance, crime prevention, prevention of homelessness, and court advocacy through directly working with children in foster care.

We are so thankful for local foundations, like the Community Foundation of West Texas, who help not only us, but so many other worthy causes on the South Plains. Thank you all so much for your support!

For more information, visit www.cfwtx.org.

The CASA Difference!

$452,925 In county-paid attorneys’ fees saved

by CASA Volunteers

To learn how you can become a CASA Volunteer or to donate, visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org.

$10,000 +

Chet & Melinda Pharies City of Lubbock Community Development Block Grant Dexter Duhan James A. “Buddy” Davidson Charitable Foundation Joe & Sarah Nuckolls Kappa Alpha Theta Lubbock Area United Way Meadows Foundation RC Johnson Junior Foundation Reagor Dykes Auto Group Real Property Resources, Inc. (Betenbough) Sanders Family Charitable Trust The CH Foundation TRUNO

Bob & Dana Craig Brad & Jessica Nelson Brady & Hamilton Charles Perry Chris & Kasi Boutwell City Bank Lubbock Connie Howell Craig, Terrill, Hale & Grantham, L.L.P. Denise Pope Diekemper Family Foundation, Inc. Dustin & Elisabeth Burrows Eric & Heather McDonald First Christian Church First United Bank Gary Phillips Goodfellows HDS Foundation James & Carla Mahan James Woodley

The CASA Difference!

235 Youth in foster care found permanency thanks to their CASA

Anderson Brothers Jewelers, Inc. Bayer CropScience Carpet Tech, Ltd. Community Foundation of West Texas Darin & Latonna Yates RWW Enterprises, Inc. (Sonic)

$1,000 - $4,999

Alan & Carolyn Lackey Alejandro Verdugo & Maria Reffreger Alla Deen Knadle ARMtech Insurance Services, Inc. Bart Reagor

Jeff & Somer Jaynes Jim & Kathy Gilbreath Joe Brown Insurance John Frullo Justin & Lauren Pinkston Kappa Alpha Theta Mothers Club Karen Alderson Kevin & Melissa Raney Kliff Kingsbury Kuykendall Foundation Lubbock County Jury Lubbock Osteopathic Fund Inc. Lubbock Police Foundation Lubbock Professional Firefighters Association (LPFFA) Lyle & Field Scovell Marcus & Catherine Stocco

$500 - $999

ABC Bank Atmos Energy Corporation Benchmark Business Solutions Brian & Terri Irlbeck Carol Medlang Charles & Paula Key Chuy’s Garry & Elia Gryder Gene Maxwell Happy State Bank Hochheim Prairie Branch 47 Joseph Llanas Karen Alderson (Cisco Foundation Matching Gifts Program) Kathrin Lee Price Keith Owen Kevin & Michelle Hart Larry Lowe Leland & Melissa Brockman Rick & Holly Betenbough Steve & Stephanie Massengale Stu & Judy Childre The Scioli Group Tibor & Jane Nagy Vernon & Aurora Farthing Willa Finley

To learn how you can become a CASA Volunteer or to donate, call (806) 763-2272.

DONORS

$5,000 - $9,999

McCleskey, Harriger, Brazill & Graf, LLP McDougal Properties Michael Postar Mike & Leslie Moss Miller Girls TTU Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc. ProPetro Services Randy & Ann Hooks Rebecca Anne Moss Rick Dykes Schmid & Mooty South Plains Lions Club Spherion Staffing Services Steven & Kendra Homer Timothy Scott Baker Todd & Helen Pope Todd & Manda Klein Trent Phillips TTU Health Sciences Center TTU Office of the Chancellor United Supermarkets Wells Fargo Bank Zach & Dani Brady

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IN-KIND DONORS

& SPONSORS

In-kind Donors

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50 Yard Line Accessory Touch Anderson Brothers Jewelers, Inc. Anderson Fine Homes Ann Lilli Artistry Homes Beef O’Brady’s Blo Blow Dry Bar Blue Sky Texas Brandon McFadden Terri & Brian Irlbeck Capital Pizza Capricho Interiors Senator Charles Perry Chicken Express Chick-Fil-A Chuy’s Cici’s Pizza Cinemark Movies LLC Clay Cafe Clearview Custom Homes Cody Craig Custom Homes Coyote Candle Cujo’s Sports Bar & Grill Dani & Zach Brady Danny Richardson & Danny’s Bug Shop Double Dave’s Pizza Elisabeth & Representative Dustin Burrows

Giorgios Pizza Hillary Sharbutt Houston’s Tower Service Hulla B’Lu Idalou Civic & Culture Club Jaclyn Morris Devin & Jake McCain Somer & Jeff Jaynes Representative John M. Frullo Jux-Ta-Posh La Sirena Lubbock File Room Mary Jane Ritchey On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Reagor Dykes Auto Group

Real Property Resources, Inc. (Betenbough) River Smith’s Rockfish Seafood Grill Rudy’s BBQ Scott Peterson Stock Style Shop Texas Roadhouse The Fig and The Flower The Matador The West Table Therese Barrett Photography Tommy’s Famous Burgers Trapped! Escape the Room Ventura Homes Whisk’d Wooded Forrest, LLC

The CASA Difference!

96%

Of the school age children served by CASA volunteers advanced to the next grade level

Corporate Sponsors

Authorized Sales Agent Platinum

To learn how you can become a CASA Volunteer or to donate, visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org.

Reunification: 82 Relative Adoption: 46 Non-Relative Adoption: 42 Custody Given to Relative: 51

Aged Out: 14 Custody Given to Non-Relative: 6 Other: 16

TOTAL: 257 Total Children Served by CASA Race/Ethnicity Hispanic: 362 African American: 78 Caucasian: 139 Multi-racial: 38 Other: 5

Age Infant-5: 167 6-11: 216 12-14: 107 15-18: 127 19+: 5

Gender Male: 310 Female: 312

TOTAL: 622 Number of Active Volunteer Advocates Race/Ethnicity Hispanic: 37 African American: 10 Caucasian: 234 Asian: 2 Other: 5

Age 21-24: 33 25-34: 51 35-44: 50 45-54: 55 55-65+: 99

Gender Male: 68 Female: 220

TOTAL: 288 Number of Donated Volunteer Hours

TOTAL: 8,235

Revenue & Community Support

Total Grant Support: $839,281 Total Donations Including United Way: $276,240 In-Kind Donations: $301,233 CASA Special Events: $132,854 Interest/Other: $1,231

TOTAL: $1,550,839 Expenses

Program Services: $1,216,050 Fundraising: $68,895 Administrative: $126,411

TOTAL: $1,411,356

PROGRAM STATISTICS & FINANCIALS

Number of Children Whose Cases Closed

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