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C A S A O F T R AV I S C O U N T Y, I N C .

Cody and Tucker are rough and tumble little boys who love dirt, wild animals and playing “cowboys and Indians.” But at the ages of just 3 and 4, Cody and Tucker came into the care of Child Protective Services when their baby brother died from severe trauma and infection. The older boys had suffered physical abuse themselves, having bruises and cigarette burns, and their mother’s boyfriends included a registered sex offender.

The boys had never had structure or discipline in their lives so they proved difficult for adults to handle. Their first foster home did not last long.

Luckily, they had CASA volunteer Nancy Ellis whose caring yet tough spirit and experience with children as a mother and grandmother helped the boys transition into the home of a

foster family who hoped to adopt them. Nancy knew the foster parents would need plenty of resources to succeed. Nancy lined up a therapist to help, taught them the importance of structure in the boys’ lives, explained how to potty train them, and shared every bit of wisdom she had about raising healthy children.

Nancy’s role as a CASA volunteer for the boys included getting to know their biological mother, earning her trust while also serving as a reality check when she was not making progress. When the mother decided that the boys would be better off in someone else’s care, it was Nancy she told.

Along the way, the foster parents had to overcome many frustrations before adopting the boys. Nancy helped them hone their parenting techniques and stay positive throughout the toughest days. Now adopted into a large and caring family, Cody and Tucker are growing into well-disciplined, active children with a great sense of humor. Their adoptive mother regularly sends photos to Nancy as thanks for the unique role she played to make sure the boys got the strong support they needed to thrive in a loving family.

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The VoiceHard to Handle: Two lively boys get a loving new home

From Jan 1 to Apr 30, 2011 CASA of Travis County has:

Served 201 new children

Closed cases for 163 children

Advocated for 1,083 children

with 417 volunteer advocates

The numbers of children coming into my courtroom due to abuse or neglect have been rising tremendously. It is not only the numbers though; the severity of cases and the struggles of families are tougher than ever. I worry so much about what these children will face in the coming months and years; they’re going to need strength and resilience beyond what many adults possess. The greatest gift I can give these children is a CASA volunteer advocate. I’m glad that there are 972 children right now who have CASA by their sides, but what about the 225 who do not?

To describe the immense role of a CASA in the lives of these children is a complex task – volunteers advocate in so many ways in the courtroom, the classroom, the home and all across the community – but from my own courtroom I have seen CASA be many meaningful and very tangible things to these children who often have so little. I have seen CASA be a job training coach, a mentor, a music lesson, a prom dress, a study buddy, a shoulder to cry on, a trip to the park. Most of all, I know that CASA is a committed, loving adult serving as the voice of these children when they cannot speak for themselves.

CASA works diligently to serve a higher and higher percentage of the children in our Child Welfare System in Travis County, but has to compete with the rising numbers of new children. It is tough to maintain serving 80% of the children, much less reach their vision of serving 100% of the children in care. These children need more CASA volunteers today so that we can someday give this vital gift of a volunteer advocate to every abused and neglected child.

- The Honorable Darlene Byrne, Judge, 126th Judicial District Civil Court

Judge Byrne speaks up about growing needs of our children

“The boys had never had structure or discipline in their lives...”

“Cody and Tucker are growing into well-disciplined, active kids...”

Meeting all children’s needs requires planning and growthTeresa is six years old and misses her older sister and brother a lot. They’ve lived in separate foster homes for the two years since they were removed from their parents who abused them. Teresa can’t tell the judge how much she misses her siblings, but CASA can. It’s CASA’s job to make sure Teresa and her siblings maintain a strong relationship during their time in the State’s care. CASA volunteers do this and much more for children like Teresa every day. For 4 out of 5 children like Teresa and her siblings, CASA is here to tell the judge exactly what they need and advocate for their best interest. However, for that fifth child, there is no one focused solely on their needs. Without a CASA volunteer, a child may be moved more often, may fail to get needed support at school, lack proper medication for health problems and may lose touch with loving family members.

CASA of Travis County Strategic Plan Vision 2010-2015For every child who needs us, CASA envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home and a promising future. In 2009, the Board of Directors of CASA of Travis County adopted a strategic plan aimed at achieving this vision.

To achieve this vision, in the next four years we must:• Increase the scope of our advocacy to serve more children

» We need to recruit and train approximately 300 new volunteers, and add more paid staff to support them.

• Maintain the exemplary quality of our advocacy, meaning that » We support volunteers to increase their knowledge through ongoing training. » We increase the diversity of staff, board and volunteers. » We continue to create new specialized services to help fill gaps for youth,

such as those aging out of the foster care system.• Grow our resources, both financial and human.

Children have been entering the court system at nearly twice the rate as just two years ago and often in more severe situations of abuse or neglect. CASA’s challenge—and yours—is to meet the current quickly-growing demand for CASA advocacy, and also to grow incrementally over time so that the fifth child out of every five has the powerful voice of CASA speaking up for him or her.

Right now, a child just like Teresa needs your voice. Volunteer, donate, tell a friend! Find out more: www.casatravis.org or 512.459.2272

Our Vision for the Future: A CASA volunteer for every child who needs oneI have shared with you many times our vision: For every child who needs us, CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home and a promising future. We talk about this vision often, but in this newsletter we want to share with you what this vision requires and the actions we are taking to reach that vision.

The leadership of dedicated judges like The Honorable Darlene Byrne, whom you heard from on the front page, gives us a great head start. Many CASA programs across the country do not have such support from their court systems. We are

grateful for our innovative judges who truly value the work of CASA volunteers.

Our Board of Directors knows the importance of sustainable funding and strong infrastructure for our growing program. They put together a Strategic Plan to meet this vision and are focused on the steps to help us advance. The board has also supported the development of the Powerful Voice Society of sustaining donors. Read more about the Strategic Plan below, and meet a Powerful Voice member on the next page to learn why he makes this financial commitment to CASA.

Finally, we would not be anywhere without volunteers like Nancy Ellis. We had 497 volunteers in 2010, but we always need more. We are also constantly evaluating our long-term retention of volunteers and ensuring that our volunteer base is growing to be as diverse as Austin itself.

While reading this newsletter, we hope you will renew or strengthen your support of CASA, and we ask you to consider making a sustaining donation today to help us grow in the future. We have a long way to go to serve 100% of the children in care and we need your help.

- Laura D. Wolf, Executive Director

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Drop by the CASA office anytime from 10 am - 6 pm on the following dates to talk with us about becoming a CASA Volunteer:

June 7, July 5, Aug 2,

Sept 6, Oct 4, Nov 1

Meet the newest CASA volunteers!Stephanie AbmaMicaela AlemanKelli AlexanderKerri AlleyAngela AngeloYolanda ArriagaJacqueline BachikAmy BlakeKelly BrausenAlicia BrownThomas BurtonKerry Carter

Jennifer CoffeeLaura CuttillPatricia DonahueAskia EvansElizabeth FaheyGregg FarrarRetha FieldingBrian GaulinDenise GeleitsmannNadra GhaddarCarole GodfreyWravan Godsoe

Joyee GoodallTyra GraberElizabeth GrantJulie GraySusan HalgrenHayley HartmanBlender HillJacquelyn HowellJessica HubertElizabeth JacobsAlexa KellerKelly Kennedy

Helen KimJenny KressCynthia LangfordMary LaRosaKenneth LeagueBethany LichtKimberly LolisMarissa MarquezCally MartinChristine MartinezElyse MayShaun McGowan

April MichaudGreg MilliganForrest NovyMelinda NowakCristina PesekSally PyeJoy RightDee RokerKerri RowlandCarolyn SalinasCatherine SansburyDeborah Schaefer

Amy SchroederRachelle SiemesJennifer SmithRachel StanberyJehona TafilajAngela TolbertNatalie VaughnRebecca WebberWayne WhistlerDeanna WrightMargaret ZinnJodi Zipp

Open House

Currently 4 out of 5 children in Travis County have the support of a CASA volunteer

Sustaining support for children in needTwo years ago Albert Hawkins retired from a distinguished career that included serving one U.S. president and two Texas governors and heading up the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. We invited him to share why he joined our board and the Powerful Voice Society.

When I retired I wasn’t ready to lay down my sword and leave the policy arena. With Jackie, my wife of 35 years, I’m the father of three and grandfather of two, so my heart always leads me to helping kids. I joined the CASA board to share my understanding of the policies that affect children. Jackie and I joined the Powerful Voice Society because we know sustained giving is what powers nonprofits like CASA. Powerful Voice Society members pledge $1,200 annually for at least three years to provide a child with one caring and committed adult who makes a difference. By combining our resources and pledging our long-term support, we ensure that CASA can help more children. I am honored to help children reach better beginnings in their early lives. The more we do for the kids in our community, the better our community will be in the years to come. Make a sustaining donation to CASA today or consider joining the Powerful Voice Society: www.casatravis.org/PowerfulVoice.aspx or 512.539.2670.

3MLissa Adams

Micaela AlemanKathleen & David Allen

Jacquelyn AmermanApplied Materials

Austin Christian FellowshipAustin Community Foundation

Rebecca & Steven BakerBank of America Foundation

Dinah & Barry BarksdaleGarth Bates Jr. Memorial Fund

Bazaarvoice, Inc.Janet & Kevin Bell

Bethany United Methodist Church

Jessica & Jimmy BlacklockStephanie & Gregory Bobrek

Paula K. BoonBoon Insurance

Management Services, L.P.Anne Brigham

Jennifer BrockwellRebecca M. Brown

Brown McCarroll, LLPMatt Buck

Gail & James CaldwellLorry & Rollie CarlsonRhonda & Christopher

ChandlerCharles Schwab Corporation

FoundationThe Cipione Family Foundation

ClubCorp Charities, Inc.Coca-Cola Refreshments

Concept ServicesTavia & John Conkling

ConocoPhillips CompanyDenise & Jerry Conway

Conway & Associates, Inc.Jamie & James Cotton

Dell, Inc.Ruth & Patrick Doane

Kelli Donelson & Ryan AgnellRosemary & Russell Douglass

Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.Debbie Dupin

Electric Transmission TexasKathryn Engelhardt-Cronk &

Tom CronkJenny & William Eversole

Ila & John FalveyFirst United Methodist Church

Fritz, Byrne, Head & Harrison, PLLC

Frost National Bank

Patti & Ray FuentezLori Gann

Samuel R. GeorgesonJoyee & Randall Goodall

Kathy & Ted GrayStephanie & Jerry Gregoire

Joanna Marie GriffithSusan & Lance HalgrenGail & Harold Hamilton

Dusten HarrisonHarutunian Engineering Inc.Jacquelyn & Albert Hawkins

Hawkins Public Policy Consulting

Deborah & J.D. HeadJack Hendlmyer

G Herver & Brad HermesNancy Hill

Debbie & Bryan HolleyDarla Jones

Journeyman ConstructionThe Junior League of Austin

Daniel KamatGerri & Peter Kappler

Kasling, Hemphill, Dolezal & Atwell, L.L.P.

Laura & John KeatingDebbie & Chick Kobelan

Louis J. & Millie M. Kocurek Charitable Foundation

Savan KotechaKathy F. Lane

Kathy & Robert LangfordMary & Bill LaRosa

LCRA Employees’ United Charities

Lesley & Morgan LedwellTodd L. Leszczynski

Jill & Kirk LewisJoyce & David Lindsey

Lola Wright FoundationTeresa & Joe Long

Lesley & Ted LorenzLucy & Mark MacQueen

Cara MaglioccoLaura & John Malnar

Teresa & Matt McCartyMichael & Susan Dell

FoundationLayla & Gregory Milligan

Mary & Lynn MoakKirsten & Charles Moody

Patty & John MooreMary K. Wolf & Ron H. Moss

Sheri & Russ Munsch

Margarate & Jack MurrayRonnie T. Myers

Kennedy & John NeffErin & Steve Nelson

NFL Alumni Inc.Carolyn & Tom Nicewarner

J. Ted OakleyPadgett Stratemann & Co., L.L.P.

Bee & Leif PedersenPlainsCapital Bank

Kari & Lee PottsPricewaterhouseCoopers, L.L.P.

Brian D. RangeKristina & John Recker

Cynthia RennaKey & Hank Richardson

Martin RiezebeekMelissa & David Rubin

Amy & Tyler RuddDaniel Russo

Catherine & Charles SansburySerendipity Gifts

Jill & Ben SheppardShield-Ayres Foundation

Beverly ShowersAlexis Simon

Elsa & Alejandro SimonKathleen D. Smith

Specialized Safety Training, Inc.Susan & Dale Spivey

Spring Frost BoutiqueSt. Thomas More Catholic

ChurchTige & Brian Stading

Samantha & John StevensSuperior HealthPlan

Leigh & Bob TateDouglas A. Taylor

Texas Bar FoundationTexas Realty Capital

Wendy & Alan TopferTopfer Family Foundation

United Heritage Credit UnionUnited Way Capital AreaSarah & Andy Valenzuela

Michael VanceWalmart & Sam’s Club

FoundationEmily & Michael Watson

Sharon & Curt WebbWinstead, P.C.

Laura D. Wolf & Frederick AusYetter Coleman, L.L.P.

Deborah B. ZimmermanMargaret & Byron Zinn

Thank you to our major donors ($1,000 and up) between October 16, 2010 and April 30, 2011

Every child needs a hero, but abused children need superheroes! Be a superhero for abused and neglected children at the CASA Superhero Run on September 25, 2011 at The Domain. Join us for this chip-timed 5K and Kids 1K with a superhero costume contest and much much more. Register online at bit.ly/superhero11 or donate at bit.ly/superdonate. More info on the event at www.casatravis.org!

Amy SchroederRachelle SiemesJennifer SmithRachel StanberyJehona TafilajAngela TolbertNatalie VaughnRebecca WebberWayne WhistlerDeanna WrightMargaret ZinnJodi Zipp

The 2011 CASAblanca Gala raised $325,000 for abused and neglected children. Guests enjoyed casino games, live music and a delicious meal, but the highlight of the evening was honoree Judge Darlene Byrne’s passion as she implored the crowd to join CASA as a volunteer and supporter!Top to right: Kerry Cammack & The Honorable Harriet O’Neill, Honorary Chair, The Honorable Darlene Byrne & Dan Byrne, Erin Echols; David & Melissa Rubin, Wendy & Alan Topfer; Debbie & Chick Kobelan, Debbie Holley, Underwriter; Underwriters Denise & Jerry Conway; Gala Chair Sarah Valenzuela, Executive Director Laura Wolf.

The 2011 CASA Kids Golf Classic featured a fun day at The Hills and a beautiful pre-party at the AT&T Conference Center. 136 golfers enjoyed the company of good friends on the course and went home with tons of gifts and prizes. Over $126,000 was raised thanks to our sponsors - Dr Pepper, Austin Sonic, Fox 7 and many others!

Left to right: Kris Hawkins, Phil Slinkard, Mark Williams, Event Chair Kemp Kasling; Winning Team Don Smith, Charlie Stauffer, Hunter Wentzel, Stan Edwards; The Boon Group team - Sterling Boon, Johnny Mills, Matt Gaskins, CASA volunteer Ramon Mendoza

Generous donors have fun doing good!

If you feel you’ve been left off this list or we misspelled your name, please accept our apologies and kindly let us know so we can properly thank you.

Meet CASA Volunteer Esther HernandezFamily: Esther comes from a big family with 2 sisters and 4 brothers. She is particularly close with her mom, her 28-year-old daughter, her brother and her 2 nieces who all live here in Austin.

Career: Currently a Payroll Specialist for BlackBox, Esther has worked in human resources for many years, though she holds a degree from the Houston Fashion Institute.

Free-time: Esther spends tons of time with her nieces supporting them at softball tournaments, and even plays softball herself. She loves being outdoors so Austin suits her perfectly. She also enjoys spending time with her daughter and her large circle of friends grabbing dinner, going to the movies and shopping.

Little-known fact: From first to fifth grade, Esther was a paid actress on “Carrascolendas,” a bilingual television show on PBS. “It was very exciting for me at the time,” said Esther, but she noted many people don’t know this about her today.

Why she volunteers: Esther wanted to make a difference and had spent time in other volunteer activities but was looking for something really personal. A cousin who had volunteered with CASA got her interested in the program, and as she learned more she knew this was for her. She shared that she loves children and “wanted to help make something go right in the lives of kids who had been abused or neglected.”

What she’s learned from CASA: Having worked with 6 children throughout 2 cases, Esther feels that the children have really taught her a lot about herself. “I’m a lot more patient than I thought!” said Esther.

You too can do something about child abuse... become a CASA Volunteer!To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer visit www.casatravis.org or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Melia Graber, at 512.539.2656 or melia.graber@casatravis.org.

Board of Directors

President - Lee Potts

Lissa Adams

Jessica Blacklock

Orlando Castillo

Jamie Cotton

Matt Hamilton

Albert Hawkins

G Herver

Debbie Holley

Kemp Kasling

April Kubik

Kirk Lewis

Todd Lewis

Laura Malnar

John Recker

David Rubin

Andy Valenzuela

C A S A O F T R AV I S C O U N T Y, I N C .

www.casatravis.org 512.459.2272

Supported by

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Non Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 1678

Austin, TX

CASA of Travis County exists to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected, by training volunteers to advocate for them in courts, in schools and in our community to help them find safe, permanent and loving homes.

A Project of

7701 N Lamar Blvd, Ste 301Austin, TX 78752

If you no longer wish to rece ive th is newsletter, p lease contact Sharon Spar l in at 512.539.2653 or sharon.spar l in@casatrav is .org .