CASA of Central Texas’ Annual Fundraiser: Ciao CASA
Tickets are on sale now for CASA of Central Texas’ annual fundraiser. The non-profit organization will host “Ciao CASA, Una Festa Italiano!” April 8 at 6:30 on the Wurstfest grounds Stelzenhaus building in New Braunfels. Funds raised from the event will go towards recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children in Central Texas who have been removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect.
“CASA and its volunteers are invaluable in assisting the judge in making the best decision for children,” said past CASA honoree and District Judge Todd Blomerth. “CASA volunteers give kids in foster care the knowledge that they have champions who are looking out for them and their interests.“
This year’s event will honor Hays County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D. and Comal County Judge Charles Stephens, Court at Law #2 for their support of the program and the children served by CASA. Food will be provided by Texas Pie Company and live music by Texas Tides.
In addition to live and silent auctions, the the evening will also feature guest speaker Justice LaRue, a former foster youth who was given a CASA volunteer when she was placed in a local shelter at age 16. LaRue will share her story about her experience and challenges of being a youth in foster care, and about her positive relationship with her CASA volunteer.
“People wave you off when you are a teenager. I was mad that people weren’t listening to me and it was unfair. I felt like, how can you, the judge, speak about me and say what is best for me when you don’t really know me?” LaRue said. “It is important to have an adult step in. That was Lorie, my CASA, she was my voice.”
Event tickets are available at www.casacentex.org or by phone at 830-626-2272. Sponsors for the event are The GVTC Foundation, Tomblin Family Foundation, Maribess and Jerry Miller,Mariposa Apartment Homes at Hunter Road, McKenna Foundation, Alligator Dental, Carol and Charlie Little, Children’s Denal Ark, Christus Santa Rosa Hospital, CMC Steel, H-E-B, Ingram Family Foundation, River City Engineering and State Representative Doug Miller and Miller and Miller Insurance.
CASA of Central Texas began in 1985 in Comal County with 18 volunteer advocates and the mission to recruit and train volunteers who would provide an objective viewpoint in civil child protection court cases. By 1994 the program expanded into Hays and Caldwell counties and into its fourth county, Guadalupe, in 1996. CASA has grown to more than 200 active volunteers offering a unique service, advocacy for children who have been abused or neglected and are under State protective care.
“I am the only adult in my child’s life that is always there for him. Foster placements, schools, teachers, therapists, probation officers – all the adults – are constantly being replaced or changing,” Bob Williams, CASA Volunteer since 2010, said of a child he is appointed to advocate for. “These teens have no stability and no one to trust, except their CASA.”
CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court and child welfare system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers. In 2015, CASA volunteers served more than 470 children in Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays Counties, but there were still almost 640 children who did not have the voice of a CASA. More advocates are needed for the children and trainings are held throughout the year. If you would like to make a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child in your community, or for more information about the Ciao CASA fundraising dinner and auction, please contact the CASA office 512-392-3578 or 830-626-2272 or visit www.casacentex.org.
