By: Tricia Clifton, Executive Director, CASA Collin County
North Texas Giving Day is back this year on September 19th. We are spotlighting one of the more than 3,000 nonprofits participating this year, CASA Collin County. Read more about the impact of the event below.
Imagine strangers entering your house and removing you from the only home you have ever known. You are thrust into a confusing legal system and do not know what will happen next. Unfortunately, this was a reality for 597 Collin County children in 2018. This year alone over 490 children are living in foster care due to abuse or neglect. When this happens, who provides a voice for these vulnerable children? CASA does.
The Court Appointed Special Advocates of Collin County promote and protect the best interests of abused and neglected children who are removed from their homes and placed into foster care by training volunteer advocates to represent their best interests in court. CASA volunteers are appointed by the District Court Judges, who rely on CASA’s impartial recommendation when ruling on the future of the child. Our goal is that these children end up in safe and loving homes, free of abuse and neglect. On September 19th we are raising awareness and asking for community support during North Texas Giving Day to make sure there is a CASA volunteer for children like Jackson.
Growing up, Jackson’s father was physically abusive. When he was 14, Jackson’s father beat him so badly, he was rushed to the hospital with multiple broken bones. As a result, Jackson was placed into foster care and appointed a CASA. When Paul, a CASA volunteer, got the call, he knew he had to take the case.
Paul visited Jackson weekly, becoming a trusted constant in his life. They talked about school and worked hard to make sure Jackson’s grades improved. When it was time for Jackson’s father’s criminal trial, Paul never left Jackson’s side. Paul was at every meeting and court hearing. On the day Jackson was to testify against his father, Paul supported Jackson and gave him the courage to find his voice. Jackson was later adopted into a loving permanent home free of abuse. To this day, they remain close and Paul was able to see Jackson graduate.
The bonds between CASAs and the children they serve are remarkable. We need your support to continue serving these defenseless children. When you support CASA of Collin County on North Texas Giving Day, you are not just allowing us to train new advocates, but you are bringing awareness to abused and neglected children in our community. Donate on September 19th at www.northtexasgivingday.org/casa-of-collin-county-inc.