CASA’s mission to advocate for abused, neglected children gets help with grant from T.J. Maxx.

Special to Beneath the Surface News

CASA for the Cross Timbers Area received a grant from the T.J. Maxx Community Grants Foundation to support the organization’s mission of advocating for abused and neglected children in Bosque, Eastland, Erath and Hamilton counties.

Last year, CASA advocated for 152 children in foster care in our service area.

“We are so thankful for the support from T.J. Maxx,” said Mindy Wooley, CASA’s executive director. “It’s because of the continued generosity of our community and supporters like T.J. Maxx that CASA can continue advocating for children and their families in foster care.”

CASA volunteers advocate first to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible. When reunification is not an option, they may advocate for the child to live with another relative or family friend.

They can also advocate for the child to be placed in an adoptive home.

In all cases, CASA volunteers are a steadfast, consistent presence for the children they serve, making sure the children are safe and have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive.

CASA volunteers are members of the community who are specially trained and appointed by judges to advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in the foster care system.

They advocate for the child in court, school and other settings; and get to know everyone involved in the child’s life, including their parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, family members and others.

“Monetary contributions made to CASA aid our program in supporting the children and families in the communities we serve,” said Wooley. “There is no other volunteer experience like being a CASA volunteer, and I encourage anyone interested in becoming involved with CASA for the Cross Timbers Area to reach out to our office at 254-965-6610.”

Click here to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer.