Letter FROM THE CEO
In 2022, CASA of Tarrant County continued recovering from the effects of COVID-19 in our community. We returned to normalcy with face-to-face court hearings, child visits, back to the office for training, staff meetings, community events, team building and every possible way to re-engage normal life.
Thanks to the outstanding support of Texas CASA, our courts, our judges, the legal community, our community stakeholders, and most importantly our supporters and community volunteers, we were able to continue to care and advocate for the most vulnerable children in our community; those children who had been removed from their homes and placed in foster or kinship care. For the children involved, CASA volunteers were able to re-engage families in making realistic plans, supporting parents and caregivers, and working to reunify children with their parents and/or families of origin. We all know children do their very best with their own loving and supporting families. For those children who were unable to return home, CASA advocated for educational, medical, therapeutic, legal and life preparation for their life during
I want to thank every one of our staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and our community partners for helping us serve the children of our community. Thank you and may God bless you as we prepare for
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LEADERSHIP
Board OF DIRECTORS 2022
PRESIDENT
Elle Oberdick
Wells Fargo
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Charlie Scherer
BAS Energy Partners
TREASURER
Stefanie Mauler
The Mauler Institute
SECRETARY
Kristy Odom
Community Volunteer
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Andrew Norman
Bracket & Ellis, P.C.
MEMBER AT-LARGE
Matt Opitz
Trinity Bank
MEMBER AT-LARGE
Giana Ortiz
The Ortiz Law Firm
PAST PRESIDENT
Mary Barkley
Cantey Hanger
Taylor Bennett
Community Volunteer
Jeremy Bravo
Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s
International Realty
Katie Carlson
Frost Bank
Kathleen Copeland
Versant REC
Charlotte Kauffman
Community Volunteer
Nichole Masters-Henry
Safe Haven of Tarrant County
Matt Montague
JLL
Ken Murphy
TPG Global
Clark Rucker
Kelly Hart
Victoria Romero-Liguez
Big Thought
Dwayne Smith
Gardner Smith & Hill
Whitney Vaughan
Gardner Smith & Hill
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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.
162 new volunteers were trained to be advocates in 2022
Tarrant County has the 3RD HIGHEST number of confirmed cases of child abuse and/or neglect in Texas
1 PAID CASA STAFF SUPPORTS
25 VOLUNTEERS
WHO SERVE UP TO 58 CHILDREN
555 children were removed from their homes in 2022
5,506 CHILDREN were confirmed child abuse victims in 2022
43% of children served are between the ages 0 and 5
Thanks to your longstanding generosity, most children in Tarrant County had a CASA volunteer in 2022. Of the estimated 1,652 Tarrant County children in need of a CASA in 2022, CASA served 65% of them by providing advocates to 1,098 children. Tarrant County children were more likely to find a permanent home than children without a CASA, all thanks to your support.
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CASA of Tarrant County
Children with a CASA volunteer in Tarrant County: Have shorter lengths of stay in foster care (1 fewer month) than children without a CASA.
In 2022, 579 CASA VOLUNTEERS DONATED 50,000 HOURS of their time and drove 151,600 MILES
Are less likely to reenter care once they find a permanent home.
95%
Are more likely to pass all classes in school, less likely to have behavioral issues in school, and less likely to be expelled.
Studies show that children who have a CASA volunteer are more likely to:
RECEIVE THERAPEUTIC SERVICES HAVE BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES AND PASS ALL CLASSES FIND A PERMANENT HOME BE PLACED WITH FAMILY
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.
of children with a CASA who left foster care in 2022 found a permanent home (compared to 85% of children without a CASA)
1,098
Number of children who had a CASA in Tarrant County in 2022
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:
50%
25% 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.
are in jail by the age of 23 become homeless
By reducing time spent in foster care, in 2022 CASA saved Tarrant County taxpayers $1,631,847!
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Financial HIGHLIGHTS
ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
2022 ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
TOTAL EXPENSES: $3,398,171
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SUMMARY OF REVENUES & EXPENSES 2021 2022 2021 2022 ASSETS $2,842,888 $2,864,623 LIABILITIES $159,234 $262,599 NET ASSETS $2,683,654 $2,602,024 REVENUES $3,637,701 $3,384,976 EXPENSES $3,198,453 $3,398,171
PROGRAM SERVICES AND GRANTS FUNDRAISING MANAGEMENT & GENERAL ADMINISTRATION 79% 14% 7%
Because of you...
1,098 CHILDREN WERE GIVEN A VOICE IN 2022
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Your kindness changed Tammy’s family forever. Thank you for saying yes to a child who needs you! Like you, Tammy couldn’t say no to a child in need. “Your sister’s just had a baby. Would you be willing to take him? You’ve got 24 hours to get here or we will place him in a foster family.”
Tammy said yes and adopted her nephew Eric nearly two decades ago. But Tammy had to navigate the private adoption process by herself - without a CASA. By the time Eric was 13, Tammy received another call. Her great-nephew John was removed due to abuse and neglect, and now he needed a home too.
Tammy did everything she could to have John placed with her, but Tammy was unfamiliar with the foster care system and had no one to help her. Tammy asked around her community and was soon told that John needed a CASA volunteer. “I didn’t know a thing about CASA. [But] as soon as Ava got on the case, she was right here. She drove 300 miles just for this kid that she didn’t know.”
Because of kind people like you, John was given a CASA volunteer named Ava. Now Tammy and John had someone to help them navigate the confusing child welfare system. CASA Ava drove to Tammy’s home and gathered information to help the judge decide if John should be placed with Tammy.
Your kindness changed everything. CASA Ava advocated for John to go be placed with Tammy, and thanks to you, John finally went home with Tammy in October 2017! Right before John’s adoption was about to be finalized in summer 2018, Tammy received another call.
“...there’s another baby. His name is Jason. He’s John’s little brother, and he was born early. He weighs 1 lb , 1 oz . If he lives through the night , will you take him?”
“I immediately called Ava, our CASA. She went right to the hospital.” Tammy couldn’t be with Jason every day since she lived hundreds of miles away, but because of you, Jason had someone to make sure he didn’t have to face the NICU alone. Ava rearranged her schedule so she could be at the hospital with Jason several times a week.
You acted with courage and kindness – you said yes to a child in need. You gave the tiniest child a CASA volunteer so he wouldn’t have to be at the hospital alone. Because of your support, Jason was placed with his family after 6 months in the NICU. Jason and John were both adopted by Tammy on the same day.
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“Ava (our CASA) went to every court date with me. She fought – she’s a bulldog. I’d have never been able to do all this without her.” —Tammy
A year later, Tammy received another unexpected call. “Another baby boy was just born. His name is Jacob, and he’s Jason and John’s brother. Would you take him?” “I called Ava and said ‘okay, here we go!’”—Tammy
CASA Ava immediately jumped on Jacob’s case to help make sure he was placed with his brothers in Tammy’s home. Because of you, these brothers had someone there to speak up for them and keep them together.
Tammy knew what it was like to have to face the child welfare system alone. She adopted Eric by herself without anyone to guide her. “Without a CASA, you don’t know any of that stuff. I could of never done it without Ava, without a CASA.”—Tammy
Because you said yes to a child in need, brothers Eric, John, Jason, and Jacob get to grow up together, and Tammy now has four sons she calls her own.
Your hardest moment in life...did you face it alone? Just as Tammy said she couldn’t have adopted her sons without a CASA - we can’t give Tarrant County kids a CASA without you.
With your donation, you make sure children find safe, permanent homes and that siblings stay together. Because of you, their futures are full of smiling faces looking down at them in the NICU, capturing their grins in photos they share with family members, telling kids and the courts stories about the first time a big brother got to hold his little brother.
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IN 2022, OUR VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED
24,929 HOURS OF SERVICE IN 2022, OUR VOLUNTEERS DROVE
151,600 MILES
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Why CASA? HEAR FROM OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS
MELODY CABRERA CASA Volunteer
“
Having a CASA volunteer is a way for these children to escape some of their harsh reality through positive experiences. Sharing your journey with them gives them perspective on their own lives and helps them get through obstacles. They need to have someone who is strong and caring on their team and who wants their best interest always.”
BILL
HUSTON CASA Volunteer
“
If you want to change a family tree – come join us. These boys need a father figure in their life –someone they can reach out to if they happen to change foster parents or an event in their life where they need to feel secure or cared for. They didn’t choose their circumstance, but we as men can choose to get involved. I don’t think giving five hours of our time is much of a request when you have a child in need.”
ANDRINI HENDARTON CASA Volunteer
“
I believe it is important for the children to know there are people on their side, whose primary concerns are to care about their well-being. There might have been changes in their lives, but a CASA volunteer is a constant presence they can depend on.”
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Advocates WHO SERVED ON A CASE IN 2022
Dione Bartney
Tiffany Barton
Jocelyn Batzer
Teresa Baum
Kaci Bauman
Anne Bean
Raegan Bell
Tanya Benavides
Stephanie Bergsma
Chris Bettinger
Ellen Billings
Enrica “Kate” Binion
Tammy Brown
Tony Brown
Aurora Bruce
Bethany Bryan
Anne BuehnerDavis
Mary Bull
Neadria Burnette
Kelli Burns
Kimberli Burns
Regina Burns
Angelique Burris
Angela Carter
Kitty Case
Pattye Casstevens
Jasmine Castillo
Susan Cawood
Sydney Cazares
Luz Chavez
Pamala Chavez
Ava Chesser
Melody Chitobolo
Amanda Clement
Brittany Cohen
Diana Crenshaw
Lorri Creswell
Sharon Crutcher
Christine Curtis
Cayla Daniels
Gwendolyn Darby
Pamela Darrow
Donel Davidson
Norma Davila
Dionne Davis
Mark Davis
Robert Dawson
Amy Alverson
Carla Antolin
Parada
Daisy Antunez
Rebecca Ard
Sara Armbrecht
Maritza Arreola
Leilani Arriazola
Christy Atkins
Saad Awan
Lacey Bailey
Sonya Bailey
Michelle Baker
Kelly Ballard
Christy Balraj
Kizzy Banks
Jennifer Bannister
Sylvia Barrett
Carol Birdwell
Samuel Birnbach
Cynthia Bishop
Hilda Black
Ashley Blaha
Vanessa Blaylock
Jennifer Bluestein
Holly Blumhorst
Laura Bodine
Harry Bogorad
Anne Bottoms
Ken Bottoms
Ruth Brann
Zareen Brendel
David Bridgwater
Jennifer Brown
Laurel Brown
Shane Brown
Tequell Burton
Abigail Butts
David Butts
Lori Butts
Melody Cabrera
Julie Cagle
Joan Cain
Kathleen Calder
Pamela Campbell
Kelly Campolo
Andrea Cannon
Elaine Cannon
Megan Canton
Elsie Cardenas
Tracy Carman
Lovie Carnes
Becky Carr
Carolyn Carson
Nicole Cohen
Jennifer Cole
Maria Collins
Sharai Collins
Ronald Colman
Charles Colston Jr
Rena Colter
Rena Colter
Cameron Colyer
Amy Conley
Aftesha Cooper
Kathleen Cooter
Amy Corcoran
Jennifer Corpus
Sharon Costantini
Lillian Cothrin
Ann-Marie Coyne
Brandy Crafton
Lisa Day
Rosa De la Cruz
Cathy Dees
Paloma Delgadillo
Rebecca Dell
Laura Deskins
Angeline Deslandes
Barbara Diehl
Alphia Dischinger
Heather Ditty
Daniel Dixon
Dianne Duke
Sarah Duke
Stephanie Dunlap
Paula Durbin
Margaret Duryee
Ashley Dwyer
Carrie Dyck
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Lindsey Eagan
Dollye Eddins
Chad Engroff
Jennifer Engroff
Sherry Epperson
Avis Evans
Kathleen Evans
Kerri Evans
Michael Fadeyi
Emily Fairbanks
Colin Farrell
Victoria Feather
Daniel Feeney
Ronda Feeney
Clari Fennell
Charlotte Ferguson
Laleh Fleming
Gay Ford
Caylee Forschner
Natalie Fort
Heather Fortenbury
Marcia Foster
Barbara Fozard
Sherri Franklin
Julie Fraustro
Adrienne Frazier
Elizabeth Fulton
Vicki Funk
Melissa Gallardo
Darby Galvan
Andrew Gaman
Emma Garcia
Celeste
Garcia-Lochridge
Christine Garner
Veronica Garza
Tiffany Gast
Molly Gauntt
Brandi Gebhardt
James Gibson
Patricia Gibson
Kathleen Giddings
Robin Gildenzopf
John Gipson
Shalviya Giri
Esperanza Gonzales
Jimenez
Bethany Gonzalez
Wendy Gourley
Janice Graczyk
Esther Grant
Carolyn Gregory
Mary “Allison” Griffin
Tina Griffith
Tenya Griggsby
Sarah Grove
John Grundmann
Kimberly Gudimetla
Gabretta Guerin
Fannie Halcomb
Pamela Hall
Cayla Halliday
Erin Halvey
Paula Hamilton
Anwar Hannun
Darla Hanson
Anneka Harding
Roberta Harper
Lisa Harriger
Virginia Harrington
Angela Harris
Shawntrise Harris
Jessica Harry
Karen Hatch
Edward Hauss
Stacey Hayhurst
Juli Heaton
Michael Hedges
Andrini Hendartono
Scarlett Hensley
Candy Hentzen
Jean Hergenroeder
Christine Hernandez
Ina Herring
Katalina Hibjan
Jr. Hiett
Donna Highfill
Tegjula Hilburn
Sarah Hobbs
Marina Hodges
Patrick Hoffman
Katherine Holloman
Deborah Holman
Sarah Hopp
Meredith Hosey-Nevels
Erika Howard
Michelle Hudson
William Huston
Blanca Ibarra
Lacey Imbert
Judit Inanchy
Patricia Isidore
Charlsey Jabri
Mary Jackson
Stacy Jackson
Teresa Jackson
Lauren Jancoski
Susan Jarratt
Christina Jenkins
Jessica Jernigan
Claudia Jimenez
Patricia Jones
Sally Jones
Hayley Jordan
Julia “D’Ann” Jordan
Angel Juarez
Charles Kabangu
Joy Kajiwara
Kristy Keating
Lauren Kelly
Kaia Kemp
Jacqueline Kerr
Jonathan (Jon) Kerr
Andrea Kilburn
Kristin Kimball
Austin Kindig
Dallas Kindig
Elizabeth Kirkendoll
Laura Kirspel
Michael Kleckner
Karin Kliemann
Breanna Klimt
Tonia Kline
Marcie Kobos
Randall Koch
Constance Koehler
Pecillia Kornegay
Alimamy Koroma
Nadezhda Kostenko
Angie Kraus
Linda Kriz
Stacy Krogerus
Sandra Kunze
Diane Kuykendall
Karen Kuykendall
Bert Lacativo
Jenny Lamsens
Sarah Land
Vickie Landers
Amy Larsen
Kelly Larson
Rick Larson
John Latta
Martha Latta
Charles Lauersdorf
Robert Laurita
Thomas Law Jr
Veronica Law
Candice LeBlanc
Johnnie Lee
Jacqueline Leferink
Kristie Lehrer
Janice Lemuel
Joshua Lewis
Marti Lewis
Sheila Lewis
Shonya Lewis
Stephanie Lewis
Julie Loewes
Mark Loewes
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In honor of National Volunteer Week, we shared an interactive map that shows where our 443 CASA volunteers are from!
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Sharmaine Loper
Frank Lopez
David Loveless
Esperanza Lozano
Barbara Luethke
Larry Luethke
Layney Luis
Justina Lumanze
Gentry Lynn
Lyn Maize
Elizabeth Marks
Donna Marsello
Amelia Marvin
Amanda Mathis
Edie Matos
Lori Mauldin
Carmen May
Erricka Mayfield
Callie McAdams
Vicki McCall
Samantha McCartan
Benjamin McCrary
Britni McDaniel
Susan McDuff
Kolette McLelland
Tanya McMath
Karen McNerney
Cynthia McSpadden
Amy Mendoza Welch
Miranda Mercer
Deborah Michell
Carin Miller
Evelyne Miller
Morgan Miller
De Ann Mitchell
Holly Mitchell
Dale Moats
Adriana Molina Vasquez
Stephanie Molina
Brent Moll
Heather Mollere
Paulemond
Mompremier
Jenanne Montgomery
Judith Moon
Arianna Moore
Karina Moreno
Madeline Morgan
Jamie Morriss
Mary Muessle
Veronica Munoz
Michelle Munson
Kathy Murray
Brooke Myers
Sireen Nadaf
Jennifer Neal
Kim Nealey
Helen Nelson
Kim Nguyen
Susan Nichols
Eric Niedermayer
Victoria Niedermayer
Abigail Nivens
Della North
Mary Nye
Mackenzie O’Connor
Sabrina O’Dell-Seger
Lillian Oexmann
Cathy Ogle
Stephanie O’Meara
Elizabeth Oney
Angelica Orozco-Smith
Fernando Ospina
Jessica Owens
Linda Owens
Palens Pacius
Alexa Page
Artiva Palmer
Jennifer Paradise
Amanda Parker
Shanna Parker
Hannah Parks
Michael Parrott
Jane Pavelko
Maurica Payne
Corina Penaloza
Mendez
Jacquelyn Pennington
Sherry Peppers
Lore Perry
Paulette Petta
Rebecca Phifer
Paige Phillips
Kelly Phoumivong
Sandra Playle
Mary Plemons
William Poerstel
Denise Polk
Arlia Polley
Yolanda Polley-Flowers
Rebecca Popiel
Lindsay Potter
Valerie Prange
Lisa Price
Caitlin Priem
Belinda Priestly
Rachelle Pritchard
Carlos Pulido
Jessica Quigley
Jacqueline Ragland
Kathleen Ramey
Rachel Records
Christy Redl
Pamela Reece
John Reed
Lisa Reed
Cecile Reed-Randolph
Karla Reese
Laura Reihl
Rocio Resendiz
Anastacia Richardson
Julie Richardson
Kyla Richardson
Asiana Rippentrop
Kelly Rippetoe
Linda Ristow
Mikayla Roberson
Purtrina Roberts
Alanthia
Robinson-Jones
Allison Roderick
Catherine Roebuck
Ellen Rogers
Sabrina Rosado
Loretta Ross
Rachel Ross
Thalia Ross
Michael Rowland
Susan Rudolph
Nicole Rumsey
“I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR A CHILD TO HAVE A CONSISTENT FACE DURING THIS CHAOTIC TIME. WHEN PLACEMENTS, CASEWORKERS, ETC. ARE UNPREDICTABLE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO CONSISTENTLY SHOW UP FOR THEM.”
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—CASA VOLUNTEER ALLISON WENDLER
Elizabeth Russo
Karen Ryan
Raegan Rychlik
Amanda Salazar
Aaron Saleen
Eric Salting
Shannon Sanchez
Katie Sandquist
Avantika Sathiraj
Kelley Sawyer
Stacey Scaief
Traci Schiska
Laura Schnitzius
Gail Scott
Jiana Scott
Keindra Scott
Kerry Seibel
Bethany Sellers
Maitry Shah
Nadia Shalwani
Marcia Shannon
Carol Shaw
Daniel Shaw
Janet Shearer
Scott Shearer
Erica Shearing
Judy Shelton
Melody Shepherd
Cynde Sinor
Mark Skaggs
Stephanie Skinner
Terry Slife
Hannah Smiley
Carolyn Smith
John Smith
Michelle Smith
Tara Smith
Alexis Smith-Baumann
Teri Smyth
Allen Snowden
Oma Stanton
Kristi Starn-Harris
Dianne Stauber
Monica Stennis
Catherine Stephens
Mark Sterling
Julia Stewart
Shannon Stewart
Susan Stewart
Equilla Still
Kristina Stites
Barrie Stone
Becky Storey
Kathryn Street
Mary Dee Stricklin
Hannah Suarez
Tiffany Sumeersarnauth
Karen Sutton
Rebekah Sweetenham
Amy Swift
Kimberly Taylor
Margaret Taylor
Shereah Taylor-Love
Rebecca Terry
Mary Tetirick
Ashley Tetteh
Laura Therrien
Cara Thompson
Paige Thompson
Dorys Tijerina
Jayne Tillery
Corbette Timmer
Patricia “Patti” Tobkin
Charlotte Toerck
Shari Tomlinson
Cynthia Torres-Sesmas
Terry Traner
Tana Travis
Kaysie Troxell
Tessa Tubbs-Ekukanju
Mary Turnbow
Jessica Upton
Victor Valdes
Leann Valdez
Orpha Valverde
Lillian Varela
Kelly Vaughan
Jaymya Vaughn
Linda Vick
Stacey Walk
Lauren Walker
Erin Wallace
Cassidy Ware
Amber Watson
Brandon Watson
Laura Weaver
Veloria Weaver
Crystal Webb
Marilyn Weintraub
Elizabeth Weis
Samantha Welch
Shawna Weldon
Scott Wells
Andrea Wendeln
Allison Wendler
Barbara Wenzel
Darren West
Erin West
Sydney Wheeler
Lynda Wilkins
Christy Williams
Katrice Williams-Nance
Cari Willis
Jay Wilson
Shirley Wilson
Melissa Wimberly
Laura Wood
Terri Woodall
Vickey Wyatt
Elizabeth Young
John Young
Patricia Zapata
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!
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2022 Volunteer Appreciation Celebration Awardees
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CONGRATULATIONS!
OCOK Representative of the Year
KRYSTLE GARCIA
Attorney ad Litem of the Year
SUSAN DUESLER
Judge Scott Moore Award
DYLAN & DANI BROOKS
Dynamic Duo
LORI MAULDIN & KELLY VAUGHAN
Dr. Karyn Purvis Award
COMPUTER CPR
Child Advocacy Specialist of the Year
NATALIE ALFANDRE, LMSW
Rookie of the Year MARK SKAGGS Advocate of the Year
CHRISTY BALRAJ
Why CASA? HEAR FROM OUR GENEROUS DONORS
DANI BROOKS CASA Supporter
LINDSEY FREEMAN Board Member & Donor
“
We donate our time and our money because we believe in CASA and fully stand behind them in their support to help abused and neglected children.”
“
I want every child that needs a CASA to have one. As a community we must support some of our most vulnerable children. They deserve someone that focuses on their best interests and well being.”
JON MCCARTNEY Board Member & Donor“
I believe in the mission of CASA. I believe that children are the future and instrumental to the well being and success of Tarrant County. When we invest in our children, we invest in our community.”
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You understand how hard it can be to remain hopeful.
“I never stopped praying this day would come.”
You know what it’s like – to wait, in times of uncertainty.
Malik entered foster care in 2013, moving from home to home without stability since he was six years old. When Brenda met Malik as a CASA volunteer, she made a promise to be the constant presence in Malik’s life that he deserved. She’s been by his side for half a decade.
Like Brenda, you care about kids like Malik. You are committed to ensuring all kids have access to a loving, permanent home.
Brenda’s commitment to Malik meant that she continued to advocate for him even when she had to relocate out of state during the pandemic. She never gave up hope that Malik would find a place to call home.
Brenda couldn’t have made a long-term commitment to be part of Malik’s life without your help. Your compassion is helping Malik rewrite his future. Because you care, you offer Malik and many other kids in foster care hope.
You are a part of their journey to find a new normal. A safe space to land and to grow.
Because of your generosity, Malik met Roderick, a school bus driver and single dad who adopted Malik last month. Malik celebrated the big day with his new “GG” Brenda who flew in to be with Malik in person for the adoption hearing.
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MALIK AND BRENDA AFTER HIS ADOPTION
Because of you, Malik has a CASA volunteer and a new adoptive family. Without you, where would Malik be?
We are so glad you are here. You are building a brighter future for children who are at risk.
You have already made a lasting impact on Malik’s future, and there are more children in care who need you.
We want to say thank you—for every kid’s life you have already impacted with your support. You inspire us to continue to fight for the future of all children who find themselves in the foster care system, whether it’s for a few months or several years.
Your kindness is still needed today, urgently. Right now, another atrisk child is being removed from their home, and they need you to help them find a safer future where they can fulfill their potential in a loving, stable environment.
THANK YOU for allowing us to partner with you in creating this legacy for the future of our children. P.S. Your gift makes an immediate difference. With Brenda’s advocacy, Malik is not only excelling in high his vocal talents as a singer in the Fort Worth scan the QR code on the front to hear him sing). Your compassion makes a tangible difference in the lives of children in need!
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MALIK & RODERICK
SCAN TO HEAR MALIK SING!
CASA IN THE NEWS
CASA VOLUNTEER BILL HUSTON IN STROLL OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
December 2022
According to Bill, one of the most rewarding parts of being a CASA is the unique connection you have with your assigned child. “It’s just simple moments of spending time with the child. I encourage my child to enjoy the outdoors –although I did have to make a deal with him to play Uno each time I was there. It’s been a very humbling experience.” Bill was the featured neighbor of the month of December in Stroll Our Neighborhood Magazine! In this feature, Bill talks about his work with CASA.
CLICK HERE TO READ
TCU MAGAZINE: BY A CHILD’S SIDE
November 2022
“Through the court, Mackenzie was assigned a volunteer from the Court Appointed Special Advocate program. These CASA volunteers advocate for children in the foster care system or during custody battles when neglect or abuse is suspected. Mackenzie’s advocate spoke on her behalf in the courtroom. She said he also sat with her in school, observed how she interacted with other children and made sure she was getting proper care and attention.”
CLICK HERE TO READ
FORT WORTH ROOTS PODCAST
August 2022
Child Advocacy Supervisor Jaime was recently featured on the Fort Worth Roots podcast. Thank you Andrew for having us—we really appreciate the opportunity to share our mission with the Fort Worth community!
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL PRESS
Featured BLOG POSTS
UNIDOS: INCLUSIVITY FOR A STRONGER NATION
by Child Advocacy Specialist Cristi Lantano“
Bilingual advocates have made significant impacts on children - especially when it comes to how the Hispanic culture celebrates birthdays… being able to help plan a party or bring a gift during the holidays that remind them of their home, brings comfort to them in such difficult times.”
ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION THROUGH COMPUTER DONATIONS
“Since 2019, Computer CPR of Southlake has partnered with CASA in providing desktops and laptops to the children, caregivers, and/or foster parents we serve. To date, CPR has provided over 95 computers to our CASA families.”
CONSIDER CHANGING THE DYNAMIC OF A CHILD’S FUTURE
“
Far too many homes do not have a responsible father or father figure in children’s lives. Children in these homes are hungering for a responsible adult male that they can look to as a model for guidance and support and know that they can rely on them to be there for them.”
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR BLOG
A Year of RECORD-BREAKING EVENTS
The 6th Annual Pull For Kids Clay Shoot, held at Defender Outdoors raised over $114,000.
The TCU Theta 5K raised a record $91,000 for CASA of Tarrant County.
The KATS in the Kitchen Pickleball Tournament was hosted by the Kappa Alpha Theta Fort Worth Foundation, Inc. and Alumnae and raised over $50,000.
Garage Men’s Grooming 4th Annual Golf Tournament in Burleson raised over $35,000 for CASA.
Chicken N Pickle Grand Prairie hosted their first give back event for CASA of Tarrant County.
CASA Kids on Canvas was back and better than ever! $25,000 raised through raffle and painting donations.
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INAUGURAL BLACK HAIR CARE SUMMIT
Did you know that last year in 2021, out of the confirmed 6,511 victims of child abuse and neglect in Tarrant County, 40% identified as Black? As a victim of child abuse and neglect, children are already struggling to maintain some sense of normalcy during such a chaotic time in their lives. Having trouble with their hair shouldn’t be a struggle. Hair care is certainly a type of self-care, however for these kiddos, it’s also a confidence builder.
There are all sorts of different hair types. But for many Black children, they aren’t receiving proper hair care, education, or resources for them to utilize and practice day in and day out. And if a child goes to a residential treatment center or group home, they aren’t typically equipped to provide proper hair care.
From CASA of Tarrant County Supervisor Tracy Williams: “From providing advocates who offer appropriate cultural competency, to making sure these kids have the proper resources for grooming, we need to do more for Black and African-American children in foster care.”
CASA of Tarrant County teamed up with Our Community Our Kids (OCOK) to provide the first Black Hair Care Summit on Saturday, October 22nd. It was hosted by Studio BW Salon & Barber in Duncanville. The Summit included a free consultation, free hair styling, enrichment on beauty and self-care, and a boost in self-confidence!
Interested in helping or supporting future Black Hair Care Summits? Please contact Tracy Williams at tracy.williams@casatc.org.
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CASA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL
Chelsea Rose
Sarah Hopp
Jordann Reis
Colin Farrell
Magen Brown
Callie McAdams
Amber Watson
Samantha Milla
Dannielle Smith
Brian Roberts
Melissa Kalka
CASA FORT WORTH WOMEN’S COUNCIL
Ashley Pettibon
Tiffany Slataper
Katie Nichols
Anna Patterson
Ashley Sutton
Katherine (Kat) Hopkins
Kerensa Naghshbandi
Lindsey Freeman
Jacqueline (JK) Doyle
Betty Paul
Taylor Bennett
Pam Packer
Alison Sanburg
Amy Curry
Elle Oberdick
Jennifer Sweeny
Kate Barbolla
Larkin McMillan
Haddy Manuel
Michelle Marlow
Sabrina Gebhardt
Carolyn Dollahite
Blair Walker
Katie Carlson
Janie Skillman
Kelsey Schuler
Claire Armstrong
Cristina Desmond
Rosa Maria Berdeja
Casey Gillespie
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The GENEROUS FOUNDATIONS THAT SUPPORT CASA
Helen Littauer Educational Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
Capital For Kids
Child Welfare Fund at North Texas Community Foundation
Chris and Kathy Murray Family Foundation
Colleyville Woman’s Club Foundation
Greater Keller Women’s Club Foundation
Hattie Mae Lesley Foundation
Hubbard Family Foundation
In-N-Out Burger Foundation
J.B. and Mary Lou Sandlin Family Foundation
JES Edwards Foundation
Adeline & George McQueen Foundation
Frances Hollis Palmros Trust
Anna W. & Alexander P. Thornton Charitable Trust
Kappa Alpha Theta Fort Worth Foundation, Inc.
Lockheed Martin AERO Cares
Mary Potishman Lard Trust
Paul E. Andrews, Jr. Foundation
R4 Foundation
Seattle Foundation
Sid W. Richardson Foundation
Smallwood Foundation
Southlake Women’s Club Foundation, Inc.
Starfish Private Foundation
Tarrant County Bar Foundation
The Gil and Dody Weaver Foundation
The Hyde Foundation
The Lowe Foundation
The Morris Foundation
The Rainwater Charitable Foundation
The Ryan Foundation
Ticket to Dream Foundation
Union Pacific Foundation
Vestal B. Sanders Charitable Foundation Trust
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