the Fourth annual
walk of hope
april 11, 2018
come join us in supporting the walk of hope for victims of crime and for the prevention of child abuse!!!
free hot dogs and drinks
Subway is providing cookies!!!
bring your friends and help all victims of crime
Check out our facebook page at:
paris casa for kids
A wonderful, successful journey has just ended at casa!!
We raised between 42 and 50 thousand dollars on last Saturday!!!
our country swing event was a success in spite of inclement weather!!
Eric said, “I never dreamed the convicted child molester in prison was anyone other than my dad.”
“I was so afraid my friends would find out that my dad was a convicted child molester. Life was bad enough that they already knew my mom was a meth addict. Dirty clothes and lack of food was a constant reminder of the life I was forced to endure.” Eric was 12 years old when CPS intervened and placed Eric in a foster home. Eric was scared. He had been removed from the only family he had ever known and lost his friends in the relocation process. He felt his future was dark and saw very little hope.
During his time in foster care, he met Mary, a CASA Volunteer Advocate. She was so nice and assured Eric he was not alone and that she would help him through his current situation and be a fact finder on his behalf and speak up in court for him. He had been let down by all the adults in his short life and he was little skeptical about any help Mary might be able to offer.
A fact finder Mary truly was! She visited with his mom, other family members, and neighbors that had known his family since before he was ever born! She found out that there was a chance that the man he had called dad that was locked up in prison might not even be his dad! She brought her information to court and the judge ordered DNA tests on both the presumed dad and the man that she had learned of during her investigation.
The DNA tests proved that Eric had a different dad that didn’t even know about him! This dad was anxious to meet Ervin! After several visits between Ervin and his new dad they both decided that Eric would live with the new dad!
Ervin is so grateful to his CASA Volunteer. She cared for him when all other adults had let him down. She was committed to finding the best life possible for Eric. It was her love and perseverance that gave Eric this new and happy life.
“I was so afraid my friends would find out that my dad was a convicted child molester. Life was bad enough that they already knew my mom was a meth addict. Dirty clothes and lack of food was a constant reminder of the life I was forced to endure.” Eric was 12 years old when CPS intervened and placed Eric in a foster home. Eric was scared. He had been removed from the only family he had ever known and lost his friends in the relocation process. He felt his future was dark and saw very little hope.
During his time in foster care, he met Mary, a CASA Volunteer Advocate. She was so nice and assured Eric he was not alone and that she would help him through his current situation and be a fact finder on his behalf and speak up in court for him. He had been let down by all the adults in his short life and he was little skeptical about any help Mary might be able to offer.
A fact finder Mary truly was! She visited with his mom, other family members, and neighbors that had known his family since before he was ever born! She found out that there was a chance that the man he had called dad that was locked up in prison might not even be his dad! She brought her information to court and the judge ordered DNA tests on both the presumed dad and the man that she had learned of during her investigation.
The DNA tests proved that Eric had a different dad that didn’t even know about him! This dad was anxious to meet Ervin! After several visits between Ervin and his new dad they both decided that Eric would live with the new dad!
Ervin is so grateful to his CASA Volunteer. She cared for him when all other adults had let him down. She was committed to finding the best life possible for Eric. It was her love and perseverance that gave Eric this new and happy life.
Thank you CASA Country Swing Supporters:
Circle c and Larry townes
jemasco, inc
Cunningham steel
Capitol one
PPF Gin
paris news
Vision Media
kwik kopy
forrest signs
east texas broadcasting
J & L paving
big country farm supply
k and b steel
shackelford Germania
Harrison/walker/harper
smith farms
turner industries
Kimberly clark Corp.
xzact
James hodge
Paris ford
orr Honda & Nissan
north east texas Cheverolet
R-3 lumber
Calvary chapel
brookshires
r 3 lumber
Paris Coffee
Special thanks to Staci Musgrove and Savory Sisters
atmos energy calvary chapel
david house jimmy browder
chris haley and H & H construction
paris lumber liberty bank
mark Cunningham greg weathers
jerry petcock
drakes party barn
abendigo's grill
River's bend
dunn four ranch
Detroit locker
red leg outfitters
dove hunt by reilly tredway
coon hunt by Justin Michael
vanderburg concrete construction
metro gate and manufacturing
guess construction services
Disneyland California
savory sisters
loren and wanda stephens
southwest airlines
ambia showpigs
cobbs meat processing
oldcastle lawn and garden
Michael morphew
load trail llc
gifts were given by the community:
Mr. gable
spangler's
atmos energy
donna lee
living waters
coke
mattress factory outlet
a & j propane
discount wheel and tire
starbucks
Anderson candy company
printworks
McQueen propane
splash kingdom
crazy house
rocking l music
the rustic wire
Williams sporting goods
ella duren
d & p autoparts
state bank of Clarksville
mickey's flowers
ricks farm and home
tangles and
aden ann's
office equipment center
cozy cappuccino
bratchers
rubclub
east texas broadcasting
hicks tire and muffler
rrv quilt guild
the wintermute family
rustic and more
Clarksville animal hospital
pops wood works
paris jewelers
tire city
jerry garrett flooring
rockin e
texas furnature
scott's jewelry
paris florist
pine ridge golf
bob swaim's hardware
larry's overhead door
McCoy's lumber
napa auto
paris vet clinic
capizzis
schlolskys
giffords hardware
century 21
little extras
stillhouse rehab
bright Holland
home depot
paris Suzuki/kawasakii
Sherman/Williams paint
precission auto
leah mcquarrie
Johnson's honey
atwoods
spencer
paris golf and country club
krogman
diane stegall
paris alternator
olive paris
scotts collision
abc auto
tony corso
washmasters
david house jewelry
dealers electric
eclips hair saloon
traditions
Jessica haley
chapmans florist
paris oxygen
piece of cake
privet farms
brains oil lube
scott cass
knives and more
paris coffee
davids meat market
crawfords hole in the wall
tamolly's
catfish king
sirloin stockaide
quality frames
sonic
subway
taco casa
dairy queen
magel's grill
burgerland
appklebee's
Crawford's hole in the wall
paris chamber of commerce
taco delight
big daddy's
casa del mar
if I missed anyone--call Sharon at 903-737-4346
2017 walk of hope
Wednesday April the 12th of 2017
Contact CASA for kids at 903-737-4346 or 4347 or come by our offices at 2025 NW loop 286 paris, texas 75460 ******our emails are: first name, last name initial, dot, paris casa, @ gmail.com classes are ongoing and it is never too late to "speak up for a child."
sharone.pariscasa@gmail.com rosek.pariscasa@gmail.com rochelleh.pariscasa@gmail.com gails.pariscasa@gmail.com cynthiaj.pariscasa@gmail.com
Huge Thank you to the Martha,David and Bagby Lennox foundation!!!!
Thank you to the Martha, David and Bagby Lennox Foundation.
$10,000 for the support of Red River County CASA for KIDS Case/Volunteer Supervisor.
The Lennox Foundationwas established by Martha, David and Bagby Lennox in 1985. The Lennox Foundation makes grants totaling between $500,000 and $1 million each year to organizations and projects serving Red River County, Texas and its contiguous Texas counties. ‘The Lennox Foundation’s emphasis is on education, conservation, historical preservation, land and nature preservation and preservation of social infrastructure.
The Lennox Foundation is unique in the State of Texas in its emphasis on Red River County projects. The Lennox Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) organization for federal tax purposes. The Lennox Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations recognized as public charities by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and to governmental entities.
The Lennox Foundation does not fund religious activities, lobbying efforts, fundraising events, galas or individual memorials, nor scholarship programs outside of those already supported. The Lennox Foundation is governed and managed by its three member board of directors with the help of an administrative assistant to improve the quality of life in Red River County, Texas as envisioned by Martha, David and Bagby Lennox.
$10,000 for the support of Red River County CASA for KIDS Case/Volunteer Supervisor.
The Lennox Foundationwas established by Martha, David and Bagby Lennox in 1985. The Lennox Foundation makes grants totaling between $500,000 and $1 million each year to organizations and projects serving Red River County, Texas and its contiguous Texas counties. ‘The Lennox Foundation’s emphasis is on education, conservation, historical preservation, land and nature preservation and preservation of social infrastructure.
The Lennox Foundation is unique in the State of Texas in its emphasis on Red River County projects. The Lennox Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) organization for federal tax purposes. The Lennox Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations recognized as public charities by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and to governmental entities.
The Lennox Foundation does not fund religious activities, lobbying efforts, fundraising events, galas or individual memorials, nor scholarship programs outside of those already supported. The Lennox Foundation is governed and managed by its three member board of directors with the help of an administrative assistant to improve the quality of life in Red River County, Texas as envisioned by Martha, David and Bagby Lennox.
see the story above:
Texas Tribune: After Rise in Foster Care Deaths, DFPS Approves New Regulations
Texas DFPS: New Foster Care Safety Rules Approved
Dallas News: Privatization of Foster Care to Expand
KVUE: Group Wants CPS Changes After Foster Care Deaths
Valuing Volunteers
By National CASA CEO Michael Piraino
This being National Volunteer Week, let’s ask, “what’s the value of volunteering?”
Nearly 65 million US residents volunteer each year. This is an extraordinary resource helping in myriad ways to improve life in the United States.
According to Independent Sector, the value of a volunteer hour in the United States is $22.14. Using that estimate, the value of volunteering exceeds $175 billion a year.
This is an average based on average earnings of non-management, non-farm workers. It’s probably far too low as an estimate of the value of volunteers who offer their specialized skills in their volunteer work. For example, lawyers who do pro bono work representing low income clients, orthodontists who provide free treatment for children, social workers supporting veterans and their families, or experienced business professionals who put their skills to use through programs like RSVP.
The estimate is also of limited use when it comes to specialized and intensive forms of volunteering, such as advocating for children who have been abused or neglected.
You can also put a dollar value on the way volunteers avoid bad outcomes for the people they help. For example, the dollar value of saving a 14-year-old from a life of crime is reliably estimate at between $2.6 and $5.3 million.
But the truth is this: the value of volunteering is not a dollar figure. It is impact. As a colleague recently said “volunteers can do anything!” I recently spoke with a CASA volunteer who has stuck with her assigned sibling group for six years. Through the years she has consistently stood by them, helped them through all kinds of life challenges. The value of a consistent, trusted and appropriate adult relationship for children who have never experienced that before is priceless.
And the impact goes two ways. Whenever we talk with volunteers, one experience always shines through: “I think the kids did more for me than I did for them.”
The reward for volunteering is not measured in dollars. It is measured in lives lifted up. The lives of both those who are helped and those who volunteer.
So for me, the best measurement of a volunteer’s value is this: the light of hope that shines in an abused child’s eyes who learns that the most consistent adult presence in her life is not being paid.
As 16-year old Selina reflected in a thank you letter to her CASA volunteer:
“I just wanted to let you know that I greatly appreciate everything you’ve done for my family and me. You have been there since the very beginning, and I know you were one of the few who really cared.”
The value of volunteering is you. To volunteer to help an abused or neglected child, go to CASAforChildren.org. Or join our friends at the National Cares Mentoring Movement who have a vision of supporting a positive future for African American Youth. Or find many other ways to put your skills to use as a volunteer at the Points of Light Foundation website.
Posted on by National CASA This entry was posted in Child Advocacy, Foster Care, General, Volunteer, Youth. Bookmark the permalink.
By National CASA CEO Michael Piraino
This being National Volunteer Week, let’s ask, “what’s the value of volunteering?”
Nearly 65 million US residents volunteer each year. This is an extraordinary resource helping in myriad ways to improve life in the United States.
According to Independent Sector, the value of a volunteer hour in the United States is $22.14. Using that estimate, the value of volunteering exceeds $175 billion a year.
This is an average based on average earnings of non-management, non-farm workers. It’s probably far too low as an estimate of the value of volunteers who offer their specialized skills in their volunteer work. For example, lawyers who do pro bono work representing low income clients, orthodontists who provide free treatment for children, social workers supporting veterans and their families, or experienced business professionals who put their skills to use through programs like RSVP.
The estimate is also of limited use when it comes to specialized and intensive forms of volunteering, such as advocating for children who have been abused or neglected.
You can also put a dollar value on the way volunteers avoid bad outcomes for the people they help. For example, the dollar value of saving a 14-year-old from a life of crime is reliably estimate at between $2.6 and $5.3 million.
But the truth is this: the value of volunteering is not a dollar figure. It is impact. As a colleague recently said “volunteers can do anything!” I recently spoke with a CASA volunteer who has stuck with her assigned sibling group for six years. Through the years she has consistently stood by them, helped them through all kinds of life challenges. The value of a consistent, trusted and appropriate adult relationship for children who have never experienced that before is priceless.
And the impact goes two ways. Whenever we talk with volunteers, one experience always shines through: “I think the kids did more for me than I did for them.”
The reward for volunteering is not measured in dollars. It is measured in lives lifted up. The lives of both those who are helped and those who volunteer.
So for me, the best measurement of a volunteer’s value is this: the light of hope that shines in an abused child’s eyes who learns that the most consistent adult presence in her life is not being paid.
As 16-year old Selina reflected in a thank you letter to her CASA volunteer:
“I just wanted to let you know that I greatly appreciate everything you’ve done for my family and me. You have been there since the very beginning, and I know you were one of the few who really cared.”
The value of volunteering is you. To volunteer to help an abused or neglected child, go to CASAforChildren.org. Or join our friends at the National Cares Mentoring Movement who have a vision of supporting a positive future for African American Youth. Or find many other ways to put your skills to use as a volunteer at the Points of Light Foundation website.
Posted on by National CASA This entry was posted in Child Advocacy, Foster Care, General, Volunteer, Youth. Bookmark the permalink.
You and your friends are invited to a
Court Appointed Special Advocates for Kindness Integrity Dependability & Security (CASA for KIDS)
"Voices" Tour.
Learn about CASA for KIDS and the work our advocates are doing for the community, join us on the first Wednesday of each month for a one hour "virtual" tour of our mission and physical plant, here at 2025 NW Loop 286. Open to all, bring your friends, family, colleagues, club, class, or group and we will "do" lunch.
Make an appointment if there is over four.
CASA to offer Flex Learning
CASA for KIDS requires that all volunteer advocates recieve at least 30 hours of training and ten hours of travel with staff and court attendance before they are assigned a case. One of the training curricula that CASA has chosen to use is National CASA's Flex Learning; Volunteer Training Curriculum.
This curriculum takes a blended approach to training, combining in person and online delivery of information. The training occurs in five sessions. Each session contains approximately 3 hours of self-guided work that participants complete online before attending a 3 hour in person classroom session. This training opportunity will be offered starting in March and will last five weeks.
If you are comfortable with technology and are a self-motivated learner, you may find this type of training experience beneficial. Look this up on our facebook page!!!
This curriculum takes a blended approach to training, combining in person and online delivery of information. The training occurs in five sessions. Each session contains approximately 3 hours of self-guided work that participants complete online before attending a 3 hour in person classroom session. This training opportunity will be offered starting in March and will last five weeks.
If you are comfortable with technology and are a self-motivated learner, you may find this type of training experience beneficial. Look this up on our facebook page!!!
CASA for Kids NEEDS YOU! call the office for new class information!!
CASA Needs Your Voice!
According to Attorney General Greg Abbott's legislative appropriations request (LAR) that
was released late last month, CASA could see a 57 percent cut in state
funding in the next biennium. This means that CASA's appropriation
for FY 2016/2017 could be reduced to $3.6 million from the current level
of $8.5 million.
Key legislators have assured us that they will work to fully fund CASA, but they
have also advised that CASA supporters need to communicate with their
legislators starting now to advocate for protection of CASA's existing
funding and for increasing funds we need to provide more volunteers for more
children.
We ask you to write your legislators and let them know that CASA cannot sustain a 57 percent cut and that we are seeking
a $6 million increase to to meet the growing need for volunteer
advocates. Written, individual letters are always better (not "form
letters"). Emails or calls are better than nothing. Click here for points to
include in your contact with legislators.
According to Attorney General Greg Abbott's legislative appropriations request (LAR) that
was released late last month, CASA could see a 57 percent cut in state
funding in the next biennium. This means that CASA's appropriation
for FY 2016/2017 could be reduced to $3.6 million from the current level
of $8.5 million.
Key legislators have assured us that they will work to fully fund CASA, but they
have also advised that CASA supporters need to communicate with their
legislators starting now to advocate for protection of CASA's existing
funding and for increasing funds we need to provide more volunteers for more
children.
We ask you to write your legislators and let them know that CASA cannot sustain a 57 percent cut and that we are seeking
a $6 million increase to to meet the growing need for volunteer
advocates. Written, individual letters are always better (not "form
letters"). Emails or calls are better than nothing. Click here for points to
include in your contact with legislators.