With 91 children that need help, CASA seeks community volunteers to serve as advocates.
Updated: Oct 12, 2021
By LINDSAY LAURENT
CASA Outreach and Development Director
CASA for the Cross Timbers Area is calling for community members to step up and advocate for children and families involved in the child welfare system in our area.
Each year, hundreds of children in our service area are confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect. These children have experienced terrible trauma, and their lives are turned upside down.
Child Protective Services takes legal responsibility for them, and may place them in a foster home or other facility. Due to too few foster homes, siblings are often split up into different places.
Children are rarely able to stay in their own schools, day cares or communities. Everything they have known is gone.
Our CASA volunteers, our Court Appointed Special Advocates, are appointed to a case and stay by that child's side throughout the duration of their case. Oftentimes, remaining the only constant in the child's life during this turbulent time.
These CASA volunteers advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in foster care. CASA volunteers advocate in the courtroom, school and other settings for the best interest of the child they are representing, help them stay connected with their families and communities and work towards family reunification whenever safe and possible.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life. They span all age ranges. Some have backgrounds in the criminal justice system, social work, or child welfare. Other volunteers have no such experience at all.
We are calling on you to make a different in a child's life. The number of children being removed from their homes has increased since the start of the pandemic and it is not slowing down.
CASA CTA currently has 21 volunteers and five staff to serve 91 children. That is not enough.
We are asking community members to step up and commit to helping a child in need. Your selfless commitment to a child or children in foster care can make a huge impact on their lives.
CASA CTA holds two virtual CASA 101 Info Sessions per month (click for schedule) for individuals who would like to know more about our organization and the role of a CASA volunteer.
Anyone 21 years or older can apply online through our volunteer application.
For more information about CASA for the Cross Timbers Area, email outreach.development@ctacasa.org or call 254-965-6610.
