CASA of Tarrant County 2021 Annual Report

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LETTER FROM THE CEO Dear CASA Supporters, You made it possible.

2021 was a year of renewal and growth for CASA of Tarrant County. With help and support from you, our outstanding volunteers, dedicated staff, community stakeholders, the local courts, Texas CASA, and committed funders, there were more children and families served than ever before in our 38 year history in Tarrant County. Your support resulted in transformative advocacy for the safety, health, education, normalcy, and best interest of foster children. The foster care crisis in our state has certainly made this task more difficult - but not impossible - for the hundreds of dedicated, committed, energetic and caring volunteers serving our community’s children. These selfless servants have spent countless hours reaching out, connecting and impacting the precious lives of these children.

LEADERSHIP

We could not have done these things without the help and kindness of supporters like you, our volunteer advocates, staff, and generous funders. For YOU, we are eternally grateful.

Thank you from all of us.

Respectfully,

Don Binnicker, MSSW CEO

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2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Mary Barkley Cantey Hanger President-Elect Elle Oberdick Wells Fargo Past President Dwayne Smith Gardner Smith & Hill, PLLC Treasurer Andrew Norman Brackett & Ellis, P.C.

LEADERSHIP

Secretary Jeremy Bravo Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

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Assistant Secretary Kristy Odom Community Volunteer At Large Member Clark Rucker Kelly Hart & Hallman

Jack Auldridge, CPA Calvetti Ferguson PC

Ken Murphy TPG Global

Taylor Bennett Community Volunteer

Matt Opitz Trinity Bank

Courtney Bourgeois Community Volunteer

Giana Ortiz The Ortiz Law Firm

Katie Carlson Frost

Victoria Romero-Liguez Big Thought

Kathleen Copeland Versant REC

Charlie Scherer BAS Energy Partners

Charlotte Kauffman Community Volunteer

Whitney Vaughan Gardner Smith & Hill, PLLC

Nicole Masters-Henry Safe Haven Stef Mauler The Mauler Institute Matt Montague JLL

When home is no longer safe and a child must enter foster care, a judge may appoint a CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocate, a volunteer to guide that child to a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.

CASA of Tarrant County

190

new volunteers were trained to be advocates in 2021

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Tarrant County has the

3RD HIGHEST

number of confirmed cases of child abuse and/or neglect in Texas

663 children were removed from their homes in 2021

41% of children served are between the ages 0 and 5

6,511 CHILDREN

PAID CASA STAFF SUPPORTS

25

VOLUNTEERS

WHO SERVE UP TO 58 CHILDREN

were confirmed child abuse victims in 2021

CASA of Tarrant County trains volunteers from all walks of life, ages and ethnic groups. Some are just beginning in the workforce, and others are retired. OVER HALF our volunteers work full-time and have families.

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Children with a CASA volunteer in Tarrant County: Have shorter lengths of stay in foster care (5 fewer months) than children without a CASA.

In 2021,

604 CASA VOLUNTEERS DONATED 51,000 HOURS of their time and drove 124,293 MILES

Are less likely to reenter care once they find a permanent home.

Are more likely to pass all classes in school, less likely to have behavioral issues in school, and less likely to be expelled.

Every year, hundreds of children are legally removed from their homes in order to protect them from further injury. As a child moves through the maze of the judicial system, the volunteer advocate is often the most consistent person in that child’s life.

Studies show that children who have a CASA volunteer are more likely to: RECEIVE THERAPEUTIC SERVICES HAVE BETTER EDUCATIONAL

94%

of children with a CASA who left foster care in 2021 found a permanent home (compared to 85% of children without a CASA)

1,167 Number of children who had a CASA in Tarrant County in 2021

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OUTCOMES AND PASS ALL CLASSES FIND A PERMANENT HOME BE PLACED WITH FAMILY

The cost of action is far more affordable than the cost of inaction.

Children without a CASA are at increased risk for ongoing social challenges:

This position requires no advanced educational degree or legal experience.

But it does require special people with concern for children and a genuine desire to help.

50% 25%

are in jail by the age of 23 become homeless

By reducing time spent in foster care, in 2021 CASA saved Tarrant County taxpayers

$2,444,000!

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 2021 ASSETS

2020

$2,842,888

$2,460,076

LIABILITIES

$159,234

$150,932

NET ASSETS

$2,683,654

$2,309,144

SUMMARY OF REVENUES & EXPENSES 2021

2020

REVENUES

$3,637,701

$3,110,373

EXPENSES

$3,198,453

$2,896,583

EXCESS/SHORTAGE OVER EXPENSES

$439,248

2021 ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES

MANAGEMENT & GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

$213,790

FUNDRAISING

13%

6%

TOTAL EXPENSES: $3,198,453

81% PROGRAM SERVICES AND GRANTS

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BECAUSE OF YOU...

1,167 CHILDREN WERE GIVEN A VOICE IN 2021

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MEET MARY JOY ADVOCACY

“Standing in the middle of chaos.” That’s how Mary Joy described her experience in foster care.

Mary Joy didn’t have a choice – she had to be brave in the middle of chaos. After her mother died when Mary Joy was 8 years old, her father’s alcohol use spiraled and reached a boiling point. Mary Joy was removed from her father and placed in foster care - the summer before her sophomore year of high school.

Her whole world was shaken. At first, Mary Joy was relieved to be in a safe home and live with her older brother David and his wife Elizabeth. However, Mary Joy thought the move would be temporary – she thought she’d return home before the summer was over, in time to play on her JV volleyball team. At the time, no one knew there was no “normal” for Mary Joy to go back to, that she’d never return to her childhood home.

MARY JOY WAS A NORMAL TEENAGER UNTIL HER WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

Mary Joy looked to David and Elizabeth, the only people she knew who were still in her life, for answers. They were as unsure as she was. Soon, Mary Joy was surrounded by countless strangers – new caseworkers, new teachers, new classmates – no one who knew her could tell her everything would be okay. None of the adults could tell Mary Joy when the uncertainty and chaos would be over. “It felt like purgatory.” Her short life had been saturated with uncertainty.

BECAUSE OF YOU... ...MARY JOY FOUND STABILIT Y AND TRUST WHILE STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF CHAOS. THE KINDNESS OF DONORS LIKE YOU GAVE MARY JOY A CASA VOLUNTEER NAMED NICOLE WITHIN T WO WEEKS OF BEING REMOVED FROM HER DAD’S HOUSE. CASA Nicole got to know Mary Joy over the summer before she started at her new high school. Mary Joy shared with CASA Nicole what she went through, and CASA Nicole listened with compassion. CASA Nicole sat with Mary Joy as she shared her fears about her new school, her nervousness about not making friends or the volleyball team, and her confusion about what was going on with her court case or if she’d ever return home.

CASA NICOLE SUPPORTING MARY JOY AT HER VOLLYEBALL GAME 88

BECAUSE OF YOU, MARY JOY DIDN’ T HAVE TO WALK THROUGH UNCERTAINT Y OR CHAOS ALONE. YOU GAVE HER AN ADVOCATE. MARY JOY RECEIVED THE SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY SHE NEEDED TO REACH HER POTENTIAL . SHE IS ABOUT TO BECOME THE FIRST PERSON IN HER FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AND IS CURRENTLY A STUDENT NURSE WHO WAS FRONTLINES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

CASA Nicole stayed with Mary Joy until Mary Joy left foster care two years later. Mary Joy was able to stay with her brother David and his wife Elizabeth as she graduated high school with college credits in tow. Because of CASA Nicole’s advocacy, Mary Joy was able to receive a laptop, books for dual credit, SAT prep, and played on a club volleyball team – all the important things that helped Mary Joy feel like she was getting a normal high school experience even though she was in foster care. CASA Nicole was Mary Joy’s advocate in and out of the courtroom, and her cheerleader on and off the court.

MARY JOY, PRESENT DAY

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT ANOTHER CHILD IN FOSTER CARE!

Because of your support, Mary Joy learned how to be brave navigating life’s uncertainties.

Her experience with her mother’s death from cancer at such a young age led her to nursing school, and the skills and confidence she learned navigating the uncertainty and instability of foster care taught her how to be brave in a crisis, equipping her with the calm confidence she needs to care for all of us during the COVID-19 pandemic. While she wanted predictability when she was in foster care, today she enjoys new, challenging experiences.

She says, “because of the support of my CASA, I’m where I’m supposed to be.” Who knows how

many people Mary Joy has already helped during her nursing career and will continue to help in the

future - all because generous supporters like you gave to CASA of Tarrant County.

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IN 2021, OUR VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED

ADVOCACY

78,146 DAYS OF SERVICE

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WHY CASA? HEAR FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS “

MARY JACKSON

JAMES GIBSON

JENNIFER ROY

I think having a CASA “volunteer is essential for the

strongly that “everyI feelchildveryneeds a family

a CASA has opened “myBeing eyes in so many ways and

CASA Volunteer

CASA Volunteer

wellbeing of a foster child.

The CASA volunteer is that one person that a CASA child will see throughout the process of reunification with the biological parent(s) or adoption. It can give a sense of security that they are not alone and that no matter what the child is going through the CASA volunteer will be there with him or her through it all.

ADVOCACY

”

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that they can be identified with. We never want any child to feel that no one wants them or loves them. A special moment was when I was able to find a whole family of relatives that could be possible permanent future placements even though the parents said they had no other relatives.

”

CASA Volunteer

has been a huge growing experience for me. I am so thankful I made the decision years ago to be a voice for the voiceless. The most rewarding part of being a CASA is seeing happy children and watching their parent(s) want to learn what they need to to be the best parent(s) for their children.

”

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ADVOCACY

ADVOCATES WHO SERVED ON A CASE IN 2020 ADVOCATES WHO SERVED ON A CASE IN 2021 Joy Adair Joanette Adams Meire Adams Saraphina Adkins Jannet Alarcon Lori Albert Atchison Karen Aldridge Maryann Alexander Summer Alexander Betsy Allen Marinda Allender Madeline Alpar Amy Alverson Alexis Anderson Kaleigh Anderson Kathryn Anderson Carla Antolin Parada Daisy Antunez Rebecca Ard Sara Armbrecht Leilani Arriazola Christy Atkins Lacey Bailey Sonya Bailey Michelle Baker Kristen Ball Christy Balraj Kizzy Banks Jennifer Bannister Sylvia Barrett

Robin Barrow Donna Bass-Egerton Jocelyn Batzer Teresa Baum Anne Bean Cheryl Beesley Bridget Bell Tanya Benavides Raquel Benitez Sara Benoit Stephanie Bergsma Chris Bettinger Veeda Beverly Enrica “Kate” Binion Carol Birdwell Samuel Birnbach Cynthia Bishop Ashley Blaha Vanessa Blaylock Jennifer Bluestein Holly Blumhorst Laura Bodine Anne Bottoms Ken Bottoms Cari Bounds Ruth Brann Kira Brasel Stephanie Brawley David Bridgwater Karan Bridgwater

Deanna Briley Brenda Brooks Jennifer Brown Kaisha Brown Laurel Brown Shane Brown Symanthia Brown Tony Brown Bethany Bryan Anne Buehner-Davis Mary Bull Joseph Bullock Minnie Burks Neadria Burnette Crystal Burns Kelli Burns Kimberli Burns Angelique Burris Phyllis Burton David Butts Lori Butts Tracye Byars Joan Cain Kathleen Calder Pamela Campbell Elaine Cannon Elsie Cardenas Lovie Carnes Becky Carr Carolyn Carson

Susan Cawood Sydney Cazares Pamala Chavez Ava Chesser Melody Chitobolo Amanda Clement Sophie Clement Brittany Cohen Nicole Cohen Cynthia Collier Sharai Collins Ronald Colman Rena Colter Cameron Colyer Aftesha Cooper Kathleen Cooter Amy Corcoran Amy Cornell Jennifer Corpus Cynthia Coskrey Lillian Cothrin Rachel Coward Janice Cox Mary Craig Diana Crenshaw Jenifer Crispell David Crooks Kamryn Crupper Christine Curtis Cayla Daniels

Deborah Daniels Gwendolyn Darby Pamela Darrow Donel Davidson Norma Davila Dionne Davis Karena Davis Lori Davis Mark Davis Robert Dawson Lisa Day Rosa De la Cruz Cathy Dees Paloma Delgadillo Rebecca Dell Laura Deskins Christi Diamond Barbara Diehl Alphia Dischinger Heather Ditty Sarah Dix Matt Dobbertien Megan Dobbertien Denise Donnelly Dianne Duke Stephanie Dunlap Ashley Dunn Paula Durbin Margaret Duryee Ashley Dwyer 12 12

Carrie Dyck Lindsey Eagan Cathy Ebeling David Ebert Dollye Eddins Kamesha Edwards Rachel Edwards Warren Egerton Chad Engroff Jennifer Engroff Ann Espitia Avis Evans Kathleen Evans Kerri Evans Michael Fadeyi Emily Fairbanks Colin Farrell Victoria Feather Daniel Feeney Ronda Feeney Clari Fennell Kathryn Fish Sierra Flores Caylee Forschner Crystal Foster Marcia Foster Barbara Fozard Julie Fraustro Lindsey Freeman Elizabeth Fulton Vicki Funk Andrew Gaman Celeste Garcia-Lochridge 13 13

Jhande Gardiner Christine Garner Veronica Garza Tiffany Gast Molly Gauntt James Gibson Patricia Gibson Kathleen Giddings John Gipson Gabrielle Glenn Bethany Gonzalez Lea Gonzalez Wendy Gourley Janice Graczyk Robin Grady Esther Grant Jimmy Grant Adrianne Gray Thomas Gray Carolyn Gregory Amy Griffin Rhonda Griffin Tenya Griggsby Sarah Grove John Grundmann Kimberly Gudimetla Gabretta Guerin Kaysie Guillory Fannie Halcomb Pamela Hall Cayla Halliday Paula Hamilton Darla Hanson Anneka Harding

Virginia Harrington Angela Harris Nikinsha Harrison Karen Hatch Stacey Hayhurst Brenda Hazzard Lee Juli Heaton Andrini Hendartono Scarlett Hensley Candy Hentzen Jean Hergenroeder Jacqueline Hernandez Ina Herring Katalina Hibjan Anel Hidalgo-Maturano Raymond Hiett Jr. Donna Highfill Tegjula Hilburn Marina Hodges Patrick Hoffman Mary Hoffmans Sara Holbrook Amber Holcomb Katherine Holloman Deborah Holman Jenene Holmes Sarah Hopp Erika Howard Susan Hubbard Michelle Hudson William Huston Bruce Hvidsten Catherine Iannuzzelli Blanca Ibarra

Gisbert Ischen Jolee Isham Patricia Isidore Charlsey Jabri Anne Jackson Mary Jackson Stacy Jackson Teresa Jackson Sascha Jamall Susan Jarratt Christina Jenkins Jessica Jernigan Claudia Jimenez Elizabeth Johansson Ronald Johansson Patricia Jones Tiffany Jones Hayley Jordan Julia “D’Ann” Jordan Angel Juarez Charles Kabangu Cathryn Kachura Stephanie Kahan Joy Kajiwara Kristy Keating Lauren Kelly Kaia Kemp Jacqueline Kerr Kristin Kimball Annette King Laura Kirspel Linda Kjeldgaard Karin Kliemann Breanna Klimt

Tonia Kline Ryan Kober Marcie Kobos Randall Koch Constance Koehler Lidia Korinko Pecillia Kornegay Alimamy Koroma Angie Kraus Sarai Krewson Linda Kriz Amir Krummell Sandra Kunze Diane Kuykendall Karen Kuykendall Tracey Laffoon Jenny Lamsens Sarah Land Vickie Landers Andria Lane Amy Larsen Kelly Larson Rick Larson Robert Laurita Thomas Law Jr Veronica Law Candice LeBlanc Jewel LeBlanc Jacqueline Leferink Kristie Lehrer Eric Leigh Camille Leitch Brian Lemmermann Janice Lemuel

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Marti Lewis Sheila Lewis Shonya Lewis Stephanie Lewis Lyn Light Julie Loewes Mark Loewes Clarissa Lopez David Loveless Connie Lowry Esperanza Lozano Barbara Luethke Larry Luethke Gentry Lynn Melodie Malone Jamie Mangum Millissa Marcussen Elizabeth Marks Amy Markulis Donna Marsello Amanda Mathis Ruby Matthews Elizabeth Mattson Carmen May Camila Mazza Callie McAdams Vicki McCall Samantha McCartan Kristen McCaslin Richard McClintock Dustin McClure Britni McDaniel Jeremy McDowell Susan McDuff Darcy McFarlane 15

Penny McGarrahan Shawnna McGruder Katy McIntyre Tanya McMath Karen McNerney Cynthia McSpadden Gabriel Mende-Fridkis Miranda Mercer Ciji Merkel Rachel Merritt Deborah Michell Carin Miller Evelyne Miller Joyce Miller Morgan Miller Jenna Milleson Holly Mitchell Dale Moats Stephanie Molina Heather Mollere Paulemond Mompremier Pat Monis Jenanne Montgomery Arianna Moore Luis Mora Allison Moreland Karina Moreno Madeline Morgan Jamie Morriss Dondi Morse Mary Muessle Amber Munoz Paola Munoz Veronica Munoz

Brianna Murphy Kathy Murray Brooke Myers Laura Myers Sireen Nadaf Jacqueline Navarrete Jennifer Neal Helen Nelson Kim Nguyen Sheri Nichols Susan Nichols Eric Niedermayer Victoria Niedermayer Sabrina O’Dell-Seger Lillian Oexmann Cathy Ogle Keith Olcha Joseph Olshefski Stephanie O’Meara Elizabeth Oney Angelica Orozco-Smith Donna Osborn Fernando Ospina Tony Overdirth Richard Overman Linda Owens Palens Pacius Artiva Palmer Jennifer Paradise Amanda Parker Michael Parrott Jane Pavelko Maurica Payne Corina Penaloza Mendez

Billie Pennington Jacquelyn Pennington Sherry Peppers Lore Perry Paulette Petta Thomas Pettyes Kelly Phoumivong Rick Piersall Ann Pittman Sandra Playle Mary Plemons William Poerstel Denise Polk Rebecca Popiel Lindsay Potter Valerie Prange Belinda Priestly Rachelle Pritchard Carlos Pulido Jessica Quigley Mary Kay Quinn Jacqueline Ragland

IN 2021, 653 PEOPLE ATTENDED AN INFO SESSION...

AND 190 VOLUNTEERS WERE SWORN IN.

Rachel Records Christy Redl John Reed Lisa Reed Karla Reese Sandy Reeves Sharon Reid Laura Reihl Rocio Resendiz Anastacia Richardson Jennifer Richardson Julie Richardson Kyla Richardson Kelly Rippetoe Philip Risley Purtrina Roberts Allison Roderick Catherine Roebuck Madison Roewe Ellen Rogers Tonja Rogers Dorothy Romero Sabrina Rosado Loretta Ross Rachel Ross Thalia Ross Michael Rowland Jennifer Roy Rachel Ruiz Nicole Rumsey Elizabeth Russo Karen Ryan Chelsea Rychener Mary Saettel Aaron Saleen Eric Salting

Kristi Samples Bobbie Sanchez Heather Sanders Katie Sandquist Avantika Sathiraj Kelley Sawyer Stacey Scaief Traci Schiska Laura Schnitzius Rachel Schorer Dana Schultes Gail Scott Keindra Scott Kerry Seibel Maitry Shah Nadia Shalwani Maria Shamayev Marcia Shannon Daniel Shaw Janet Shearer Scott Shearer Erica Shearing Judy Shelton Melody Shepherd Shannon Shivers Dede Sifford Cynde Sinor Mark Skaggs Stephanie Skinner Terry Slife Marlo Slovacek Hannah Smiley John Smith Michelle Smith Tara Smith Alexis Smith-Baumann

Teri Smyth Allen Snowden Bobbi Spears Oma Stanton Dianne Stauber Philip Stellar Monica Stennis Catherine Stephens Sarah Stevenson Shannon Stewart Susan Stewart Equilla Still Jane Stilwell Kristina Stites Becky Storey Kathryn Street Brianne Strickland Mary Dee Stricklin Tiffany Sumeersarnauth Karen Sutton Rebekah Sweetenham Amy Swift Dalton Tanner Kimberly Taylor Shereah Taylor-Love Ashley Tennison Rebecca Terry Mary Tetirick Ashley Tetteh Laura Therrien Angela Thomas Harry Thompson Paige Thompson Dorys Tijerina Jayne Tillery

Carolyn Timian Corbette Timmer Rachel Tindall Kelley Tittsworth Charlotte Toerck Shari Tomlinson Cynthia TorresSesmas Terry Traner Tana Travis Danielle Tucker Mary Turnbow Victor Valdes Leann Valdez Lillian Varela Lisa Vereen Linda Vick Tracy Wainscott Abigail Waldron Stacey Walk Erin Wallace Cassidy Ware Amber Watson Brandon Watson Laura Weaver Veloria Weaver

Elisa Weber Marilyn Weintraub Kimberly Wells Allison Wendler Barbara Wenzel Darren West Sydney Wheeler Lynda Wilkins Hannah Williams Henry Williams Jennifer WilliamsAbbott Cari Willis Jay Wilson Shirley Wilson Melissa Wimberly Laura Wood Terri Woodall Vickey Wyatt Elizabeth Young John Young Linda Young Patricia Zapata Jill Zolty

FOSTER CHILDREN’S LIVES ARE FILLED WITH CHAOS. LEARN HOW YOU CAN SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT AND SPEAK FOR THEM DURING THIS TIME OF UNCERTAINTY AS A CASA VOLUNTEER: CLICK HERE! 16

2021 Volunteer Appreciation Celebration Awardees CONGRATULATIONS!

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WHY CASA? HEAR FROM OUR DONORS “

LINDSAY WHITTENBERG

WHITNEY VAUGHAN

TONY RUTIGLIANO

I can’t think of a better “organization to support than

Supporting CASA is “supporting kids who have

CASA because “thereI support isn’t a more vulnerable

CASA Supporter

CASA of Tarrant County!

CASA is providing real support to children in foster care in our community. These advocates are walking beside children during some of the scariest moments of their lives. I believe that these men and women are truly changing the trajectory of these young lives.

been dealt a bad hand in life.

These kiddos didn’t ask to be born into these situations and the support that CASA receives is a step in the right direction for the child.

”

CASA Supporter

demographic in our community. Protecting and supporting our children is critical to our future! The children in our community are the future, and it’s vital that we serve the needs of the most vulnerable in our community to ensure our long-term strength and viability.

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GENEROSITY

”

Board Member

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IN THE NEWS NBC DFW - NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY November 19, 2021 “CASA of Tarrant County said the pandemic has taken a toll on the foster care system. At the start of 2020, there was a surge in child abuse emergency room visits and child welfare removals in the County. CASA volunteers have had to do a lot of their work virtually for the 18 months. As their mission to help support foster children through the system returns to normal, they’re looking for volunteers.”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH SOUTHLAKE STYLE MAGAZINE WOMEN IN BUSINESS September 29, 2021 CASA Board President-Elect Elle Oberdick was featured in Southlake Style Magazine’s 2021 Women in Business. “After serving as a mentor to victims of human trafficking, Elle Oberdick now works tirelessly to advocate for foster children through her position on the CASA of Tarrant County board of directors.”

CLICK HERE TO READ TELEMUNDO - BUSCAN A VOLUNTARIOS PARA AYUDAR A NIÑOS EN CONDADO TARRANT April 14, 2021 Los voluntarios son designados por una corte y su responsabilidad es hablar con los familiares, maestros y con el niño que necesita ayuda. Aquí más sobre el programa.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL PRESS

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ADVOCATES WHO SERVED ON A CASE IN 2020 FROM OUR BLOG NATIONAL SELF CARE DAY

By Jennifer Sterling and Stephanie Books from Books and Sterling, LLC “What is Self-Care? A buzzword you’ve probably heard over the past couple years – but do we really understand it? It’s really about taking care of all aspects of you and your health: physical, mental, emotional, financial… all of it. Talk about daunting!

CLICK HERE TO READ

HONORING OUR FOREMOTHERS – THEIR LEGACY OF ADVOCACY

By Catelyn Devlin, LMSW – Director of Grants & Contracts “March is Women’s History Month. In reflection of this month, it strikes me how much inspiration I draw from the women who went before me: women who have been advocates for the wellbeing of vulnerable people – advocates for social change, always before the world felt ready to meet their demands.”

CLICK HERE TO READ

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HONORING BLACK HISTORY IN FEBRUARY… AND BEYOND

Edited, and “Written, Researched by: CASA’s Equity Group

“In honor of Black History Month and Dr. Woodson’s legacy, we are sharing five concrete ways we can honor Black history this month and every day.”

CLICK HERE TO READ

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THE IMPACT OF A CASA: REUNITING THREE BROTHERS “How’s my brother?”

This is the heart-breaking question CASA volunteer Christy Balraj heard every time she visited three brothers separated in different foster care placements. The two older boys were able to stay together, but their youngest brother was living elsewhere. Being apart wasn’t easy for the siblings.

“After my first meeting with the boys in their separate placements, I could tell the brotherly bond was strong and they missed each other,” explains Christy. “The foster parents did a great job letting the boys talk to each other and see each other as often as possible, but it wasn’t the same as being together.”

Reuniting the brothers became her immediate priority. Soon, Christy was working with the boys’ paternal grandmother to get her licensed to take them into her home. Christy worked very closely with their grandmother, who was living on her own and had to overcome several obstacles to get court approval to take in all three boys and their newly born sibling.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of their grandma and CASA advocacy on behalf of the family, all four children are now back together and thriving.

“I can’t describe the happiness and love my boys have for each other and their grandmother,” says Christy. “Having them under the same roof is the best thing that could happen.”

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