Annual Report 2012-2013 - CASA of Central Texas, Inc.

New Braunfels Office
1619 E Common St. #301
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 626-2272 Phone
(830) 626-3636 Fax
Annual Report
2012-2013
A Note From The Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Many of you may be familiar with the story of the starfish saved by a little boy on the beach. It
is printed in the sidebar to the right if you would like to read it. Even if it’s not your first time to
hear it, it delivers a message worth repeating - a message of concern...a message of hope...a message of perseverance.
At CASA of Central Texas, we have so many stories that start with that same concern for so
many children who are abused and neglected, suffering in harmful conditions that are not
conducive to healthy growth and development. When a child is removed from home for their
safety, a judge may appoint CASA to serve as the child’s Guardian ad Litem. We are then tasked
with researching the child’s background and representing the child’s best interests while he is
temporarily placed in State foster care. CASA ensures that a child receives all of the care that he
needs - services such as therapy and educational support, a safe foster home, visits with siblings,
and a plan to eventually leave foster care and go to a safe and stable home. This is where CASA
provides hope. CASA works toward good outcomes for children - whether that be reunification
with safe parents who have learned from their mistakes, moving to live with safe and loving relatives, or being placed for adoption with new families who will provide safe, nurturing, “forever”
homes. CASA of Central Texas also helps older youth for whom options are limited and are
faced with staying in long-term foster care. Our CASA volunteers stand by their side, visiting
youth as they may move from one foster placement to another, as they may struggle in school
and as they wrestle with understanding why they were left to grow up in an overburdened child
welfare system. CASA continues to work with these youth year after year, guiding them toward
and preparing them for young adulthood.
In all of these instances, our stories tell a message of perseverance...about children and youth
who endure unimaginable and undeserved hardships and also about the CASA volunteers who
selflessly persevere with the children to find safety, health and healing. One person willing to
share their gifts and talents can truly make a difference in a child’s life. Because of the tremendous support of our friends - volunteer advocates, staff, board of directors, foundations, local cities and counties, local businesses, churches and civic groups, and many, many individuals - the
number of children who have a CASA will continue to grow.
Thank you for sharing this concern, thank you for your support of CASA of Central Texas, and
thank you for sending a message that every child matters.
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Executive Director
San Marcos Office
PO Box 1267
104 MLK Dr.
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-3578 Phone
(512) 392-3702 Fax
The Starfish Story
(author unknown)
Once upon a time, there was an old
man who had a habit of walking on
the beach every morning. Early one
morning, he was walking along the
shore after a big storm had passed
and found the vast beach littered
with thousands of stranded starfish
as far as the eye could see. The man
began walking very carefully so as
not to step on any of the beautiful
creatures.
Off in the distance, the old man
noticed a small boy approaching. As
the boy walked, he paused every so
often and as he grew closer, the man
could see that he was occasionally
bending down to pick up an object
and throw it into the sea. The boy
walked closer still and the man called
out, “Good morning! May I ask
what it is that you are doing?”
The young boy paused, looked up,
and replied “I’m saving the starfish.
I’m throwing them back into the
ocean. The tide washed them up onto
the beach and they can’t return to
the sea by themselves. When the sun
gets high, they will die, unless I throw
them back into the water.”
The old man replied, “But there must
be tens of thousands of starfish on
this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really
be able to make much of a difference.
Why waste your time when it can’t
matter?”
Without hesitation, the child picked
up another starfish and tossed the
starfish back into the water. “It
mattered to THAT one,” the child
explained.
Child abuse and neglect is a
community issue communities must form
partnerships to end child
abuse.
Communities can influence
child abuse issues through
advocacy in civil proceedings in the child protection
court system.
Community volunteers
can serve as Guardians
Ad Litem to represent the
children’s best interests and
advocate for children to be
placed in safe and
permanent homes.
Every year, hundreds of abused
and neglected children in the
Central Texas area are in
need of safe, permanent,
nurturing homes. Too many
children spend years under
government care moving from
one temporary home to another,
with no family to call their own.
As adults, they are more likely
than others to face homelessness,
unemployment, and even adopt
the same abusive and
neglectful behaviors of their
abusers. Fortunately, CASA
volunteers provide a voice and
emotional support for these
abused and neglected children.
The mission of CASA of
Central Texas, Inc. is to
advocate for abused and
neglected children in the
court system by recruiting,
training and supporting
community volunteers.
Help free children from
abuse and neglect.
Help break the cycle of
child abuse.
SUPPORT CASA
(830) 626-2272
(512) 392-3578
Serving Caldwell, Comal,
Guadalupe & Hays Counties
Maria Watkins, Volunteer Advocate since 2008
Service Statistics 2013
Children in State
Care
Children Served by
CASA (#)
Children Served by
CASA (%)
CASA Cases
CASA Volunteers
Volunteer Hours
Donated
Volunteer Miles
Donated
Volunteer Goods
Donated
Caldwell
127
Comal
243
Guadalupe
215
Hays
183
Total
768
46
175
68
132
421
36%
72%
32%
72%
55%
20
22
1,129
87
115
6,116
36
45
958
68
95
2,773
210
220
10,976
13,554
47,733
10,816
25,769
98,872
$1,315
$10,117
$2,430
$2,680
$16,542
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. • Annual Report • 2012-2013 • Page 2
2012-2013 Program Highlights
July:
• Advocates were invited to participate in payroll deductions from their employers.
August:
• San Marcos office receives a facelift.
• 5 advocates sworn in by Judge Karin Bonicoro.
• Working together on the field - College Football Coaches were featured in state-wide volunteer recruitment
campaign.
September:
• Wing Society advocate social held in Canyon Lake, TX.
• “A Labor of Love - A Tribute to Lucky Tomblin” was held at the Texas Music Theatre in San Marcos, TX.,
benefitting CASA.
October:
• High school student celebrates birthday by asking for toy donations for CASA.
• Fall Permanency Celebration Luncheon was held honoring advocates whose cases were closed or achieved
permanent outcomes.
• Advocate survey was made available online via SurveyMonkey
• 2012 Texas CASA Conference was attended by several advocates and employees, held in Frisco, TX.
November:
• 8 advocates sworn in by Judge Karin Bonicoro.
• 2012 Gruene 5K Run/Walk Turkey Chase - Comal Cops for Kids event supported CASA.
• CASA wins top spot on non-profit review site - GreatNonprofits.
• Broadway Bank donates turkey dinners to CASA kinship families.
December:
• 7 advocates sworn in by Judge Charles Stephens and Judge Melissa McClenahan.
• Toy Drive for Children -More than 260 children were provided gifts with the help of over 70 community
members and organizations.
• Jingle and Mingle - Advocate Appreciation Mixer.
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. • Annual Report • 2012-2013 • Page 3
2012-2013 Program Highlights
January:
• In 2012, 372 children had the powerful voice of a CASA volunteer in Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays
counties. 197 dedicated CASA volunteers were active on cases and were able to help 63 cases for 136 children.
110 of the children that we worked with found permanency with their parents or relatives. 70 children were
reunified with their parents and 40 were adopted by or now live permanently with relatives. 14 were adopted by
new families and 12 reached independent living (turned 18 years old).
• CASA participates in “CASA Day at the Capitol” - 16 CASA of Central Texas representatives joined advocates
from across the state.
• CASA children were given tickets to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
February:
• CASA Flambeaux - Feathers, Beads and Masks, We Had A Blast! - CASA honored District Judge Bruce Boyer,
Toya Ohlrich Boyer and Karen Sleighter with a night of Mardi Gras fun at Dick’s Classic Car Garage.
• Advocacy Training - Advocacy for Children with Special Needs & Talents - Rebecca Ford, retired teacher.
• 10 advocates sworn in by Judge Brenda Smith
March:
• Advocacy Training - Cultural Competency in Child Advocacy - Amy Ford, consultant.
• Amplify Austin - community-wide day of online philanthropy. CASA of Central Texas, Inc. supporters
donated $6,755.
• Executive Director Norma Castilla-Blackwell named to Christus Santa Rosa Civic Advisory Board.
• 4 advocates were sworn in by Judge Charles Stephens.
April:
• CASA participated in many local city and county proclamations throughout the month, officially recognizing
April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
• Spring Permanency Celebration Luncheon - 55 advocates were honored for their work.
• CASA volunteers worked the Buda Chamber of Commerce’s hot dog booth at the Lion’s Club annual Wiener
Dog Races.
• Law and Order Restored in Central Texas - CASA honored Comal County Commissioner Jan Kennady and
Comal County Sheriff Bob Holder
• Community Outreach Committee met to make plans to help CASA grow.
• 6 advocates were sworn in by Judge Karin Bonicoro.
May:
• Billboard featuring Former First Lady Laura Bush was put up on IH 35 in Kyle.
• Chick-Fil-A of San Marcos hosted their 2nd Annual Cow Classic - supporting CASA.
June:
• Several CASA volunteers were honored to see their CASA children graduate from High School.
• Advocacy Training - Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services, Kasandra Link-Charles & Jennifer Elizalde,
CPS
• United Way Campaign Video - United Way of Comal County completed their 2012 campaign and created a
video highlighting some of their partner agencies, including CASA.
• Wing Society Annual Meeting - A Taste of Tuscany Under the Texas Sun
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. • Annual Report • 2012-2013 • Page 4
2012-2013 Donors
2012-2013 Donors
The work that CASA of Central Texas does is made possible because of the support from individuals,
organizations and businesses that give monetary gifts and in-kind donations.
$50,000+
Kronkosky Charitable Foundation
Texas CASA
Najim Family Foundation
Office of the Attorney General
$25,000 - $49,999
$10,000 - $24,999
BKD Foundation
Burdine Johnson Foundation
City of San Marcos
Hays County
McKenna Foundation
San Antonio Area Foundation
Texas Bar Foundation
Union Pacific Foundation
United Way of Comal County
United Way of Hays County
Wild Dames
Comal Cops for Kids Foundation
Downtown Rotary Club of New Braunfels
HD Supply
San Marcos Lions Club
Nancy and Louis Scantland
St. Luke's Lutheran Health Ministries
Topfer Family Foundation
United Way for Greater Austin
Community Bible Church Bulverde
Carola and John Davis
Kathleen Dial
Jody and Michael Doss
First Christian Church
JoAnne Germer
Grande Communications
Hays County Sheriff's Office
Robin Jeffers
Kasha Corp.
Becky Lake
LCRA Employees' United Charities
Renee and Reagan Lehmann
Carolyn and Renil Liner
Mariposa at Hunter Road
McCraw Oil Company, Inc.
Pegasus Schools, Inc.
Robin and Michael Priede
Melinda and Gene Rapp
Lori and Mike Rhodes
San Marcos Bluebonnet Lions Club
Karen Sleighter
Tomblin Family Foundation
United Heritage Credit Union
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Robert Williams
Danny Williams
Wade Wilson
Coach Fran Charities, Inc.
Eleanor Crook
Paula DelaCerda
DNB Custom Homes
Tony Forte
G.E. Lehmann Management Trust
Hochheim Prairie Branch 204
Hochheim Prairie Branch 211
Lynda and Robert McNab
Anne and Doug Miller
Liz and Ern Mooney
Sheri Munsch
New Braunfels Pediatrics
P.E.C. United Charities, Inc.
Rebecca and James Parman
Julie and Will Person
Pew Charitable Trusts
Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union
Rita's Natural Foods Market
Susie Russell
San Marcos Reinvestment Corp
Seton Medical Center Hays
Becky and Lucky Tomblin
VFW Post 8800
Wimberley Lion's Club
Congressman and Mrs. Lloyd Doggett
Darra Dotson
Virginia Durrett
Richard Earl
Charlotte and Rob Edwards
Embassy Suites San Marcos
David Ender
Eva and Ramsey Farley
P.D. and J.B. Freestone
Belinda Frisk
Ann Frugoni
Joseph Gagen
Gary Job Corps Center
Patricia Godfrey
Gregory Golian
Marjorie and Glenn Gonzalez
Chandler and Bob Gray
Debbie Grieder
Carol Grimm
Guadalupe Regional Medical Center
Patricia Hahn
D.J. Hardwick
Rosa Hernandez
Beverly and James Hoffman
Toby Hooper
Matthew Hoyt
Huddleston & Company
J & R Gymnastics
Grant John
Margaret Jones
Anni Judkins
Juneteenth Bar B Cue Cookoff Charity
Stacey Konieczny
Sandra and Neal Koonce
Lucinda and Walter Krudop
Carole and Layton Leissner
Jon Leonard
Melanie and Bob Linder
Margaret Lindsey
Marilyn Liska
Sarah Loconto
Kaye Lynch
Thomas McNair
Melissa and Aart Millecam
Michelle and Kenneth Miller
Virginia Miller
Timothy Milner
Robert Mooney
Desiree Rita Morieras
Mike Morrison
Devra Morton
Nancy and David Mossman
Carolyn and Thomas Nelson
New Braunfels Welders Supply, Inc.
David Pfeifer
Darrell Piersol
Pilot Club of Canyon Lake
Polycom
Principal Combined Fund Organization
Paul Rich
Carol and Jack Robison
Holly Sais
Diane Sanders
Jane and James Scarborough
Tricia and Mike Schneider
Lisa and Michael Seelhammer
Seguin Guadalupe Co. Church Women United
Seguin Noon Lions Club
Jean Marie Slupik
Brenda Smith, Attorney
Alan Stahlman
Mark Statler
Honorable Charles Stephens
Andrea and Alex Stojanovski
Carol and Joseph Sullivan
TCOR Insurance Management
Jean Tellkamp
Jennifer and Dan Tharp
Sharon and Joseph Timmins
Ralph Townsend
Truist Employee Giving
Falba and Paul Turner
Bill Van Fleef
Rosie Vela
Catherine and Pat Vrba
Janace and John Wade
Susan and Stephen Weaver
Kevin Webb
Maria Wells
Ali Wilkinson
Mark Williams
Wimberley United Methodist Women
Wing Society
Claudia and Paul Mark Woods
Kathleen Dial for James Hamilton
Kathleen Dial for Joe B. Kaigler
Eva and Ramsey Farley for James Hamilton
JoAnne Germer for Guillermo Castilla
Carolyn and Thomas Nelson for Pat Nelson
Carolyn and Thomas Nelson for Sara Dean
Becky and Lucky Tomblin for Guillermo Castilla
Catherine and Pat Vrba for Guillermo Castilla
$5,000 - $9,999
City of Buda
City of Kyle
City of New Braunfels
$1,000 - $4,999
Alert Services, Inc.
Susan and Jack Bogle
Bonner Carrington LP
Toya and Bruce Boyer
Carolyn and Hollis Burkland
Chevron Employee Giving
Chick-fil-A at San Marcos
City of Lockhart
City of Luling
Comal County
$500 - $999
Airforce Turbine Service Ltd.
Amplify Austin
AT&T Employee Giving
Norma Blackwell
Butler Manufacturing
Caldwell County
Central Texas Medical Center
Chicktime
$100 - $499
Bonnie Adams
Amvets Post 104
Theresa Appelquist
Dana Azurin
Earle Pool Ball
Bank of America Employee Giving
Dee Banks
Alison Barnwell
Bartoskewitz Farm Foundation
Peggy Billings
Amy Bloomquist
Paul Bonner
Denise Boudreaux
Linda and Charles Boudreaux
Nancy and Paul Bower
Susan and Jesse Brewer
Beckie Bright
Cheryl Brown
Becky Buckley
Gayle and Stan Burrier
Sandra and J Ronald Carey
Diana Carson
Catholic Daughters of the Americas
CFAN
D. Chasis
Children's Dental Ark
Molly Cole
Sonia and Alfred Cortez
Jenny Cox
Jennifer and Roy Crownover
Joyce and Larry Davis
Eric DeHoyos
M. Dietz
Memorials
Norma Blackwell for James Hamilton
Denise Boudreaux for Guillermo Castilla
Kathleen Dial for Guillermo Castilla
Due to space limitations, contributions less than $100 are not recognized on this list. Period covers 7/1/12 - 6/30/13.
We strive to accurately list the names of our donors. We apologize for any errors and ask that you contact us so we may correct our records.
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. • Annual Report • 2012-2013 • Page 5
Statement of Activities
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. • Annual Report • 2012-2013 • Page 6
Volunteer & Donor Opportunities
To help connect abused and neglected children with the hand, hope and voice of a caring
volunteer, we invite you to support CASA:
•
•
•
If you would like to be contacted regarding a significant contribution,
please call Norma Blackwell, Executive Director at (830) 626-2272.
Donations may be mailed to:
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. 1619 E. Common #301, New Braunfels, TX 78130
To become a CASA volunteer, contact Debbie Haynes, Training Coordinator, at (512) 392-3578 or (830) 626-2272 or view our website www.casacentex.org.
2013-2014 Board of Directors
JoAnne Germer - President
John Davis - Vice President
Kathy Dial - Secretary
Paula DeLaCerda - Treasurer
Carolyn Liner - Parliamentarian
Karen Sleighter - Past President
Debbie Engbrock - Board Member
Shane Hines - Board Member
Toby Hooper - Board Member
David Junkin - Board Member
Sandra Koonce - Board Member
Terry Kyle - Board Member
Becky Lake - Board Member
Chris Owen - Board Member
David Pfeifer - Board Member
Susan Russell - Board Member
Wade Wilson - Board Member
Staff
Norma Castilla-Blackwell - Executive Director
Kimberly Key - Program Director
Tricia Schneider - Development Director
Cathy Vrba - Finance Director
Debbie Haynes - Training Coordinator
Eloise Hudson - Community Relations Coordinator
Renee Lehmann - Program Coordinator
Ali Wilkinson - Administrative Coordinator
Jerret Swierc - Volunteer & Development Assistant
Layla Coleman - Casework Supervisor
Shelley Denkeler - Casework Supervisor
Rob Edwards - Casework Supervisor
Tim Judkins - Casework Supervisor
Lonnette LaBorde - Casework Supervisor
Melanie Linder - Casework Supervisor
Carolyn Massey - Casework Supervisor
Lauren Townsend - Casework Supervisor
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. • Annual Report • 2012-2013 • Page 7
1619 E. Common #301
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Mission Statement
CASA of Central Texas, Inc. advocates for abused and neglected children in the court sytem by
recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.
2014 Upcoming Events
Informations Sessions are held the 1st Wednesday of each month in our New Braunfels office and the 2nd
Wednesday of each month in our San Marcos office. These 1 hour “Voices” luncheons are an informative way to
come and learn more about CASA. Quarterly Sessions to be held in Schertz, Seguin and Lockhart - check our
website for more information.
March 20 - Amplify Austin online fundraising
April - Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month - city and county proclamations
April 4 - CASA Carnival For A Cause, Kyle, TX.
April 12 - Blue Ribbon 5K, Gruene, TX.
April - Permanency Luncheon
May - Foster Family Appreciation Day, New Braunfels, TX.
May - New Advocate Training Starts
Justice - A poem by Jody Cosson, Volunteer Advocate Since 2012
May - Donor Appreciation Mixer
June - Wing Society Annual Meeting
The saddest country western song can’t do this story justice
It’s about an abused child’s need for safety, hope and guidance
July - New Advocate Training Starts
For the good of a child, good people change the story
September - New Advocate Training Starts
With time, thought, patience, work and love in all its a glory!
September - Superhero 5K, Austin, TX.
These keys can solve the puzzle of a child’s life and fate
October - New Advocate Training Starts
Bit by bit and piece by piece the puzzle comes together
October - Permanency Luncheon
With CASA’s help the child will grow up strong and straight
It seems the happiest country western song is about human justice.
November - Adoption Day, New Braunfels, TX.
December - Advocate Appreciation Mixer
Follow us online to get information and updates throughout the year. www.casacentex.org