top of page
This site was designed with the
.com
website builder. Create your website today.Start Now
CASAwhitebckgrd.jpg

Texas Casa - State Altruistic Project for 2022-2024

  • During an educational symposium, led by our very own Paula O’Neill, I was involved in a book study – the book – We Are Called to Rise, by Laura McBride. The book was told using four voices—an immigrant boy whose family was struggling to get by in this country; a middle-aged housewife whose marriage is on the rocks; a troubled son; and a social worker – a CASA volunteer. This book and its message stuck with me – in fact, my chapter – Sigma – accomplished the same book study and we had a CASA volunteer join us during the discussion. Also, my brother and sis-in-love, adopted all their children and were foster parents to other children throughout their years. So, as a result, my altruistic project has been an easy one. I have chosen Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) as our next state altruistic project. Texas CASA’s Mission:

  • To support local CASA volunteer advocacy program

  • To advocate for effective public policy for children and families in the child protection system

  • TX CASA works to improve the Child Welfare System

  • Research shows that CASA makes a difference

  • In 2021, 81% of children with a CASA advocate were returned home, had custody granted to a relative, or were adopted by a relative. Info for donating and seeing more about this wonderful organization is: www.texascasa.org

​

Link to
Powerpoint about CASA

Altruism by Donna Bailey, 22-24 State Altruistic Chair

​

In 2008, then President-elect Paula O’Neill asked me if I would serve as her altruistic chairman for her upcoming biennium. I agreed, not knowing until the convention in El Paso that her project would be the American Heart Association. That very night I had a heart attack and became a fierce representative & spokesperson for women’s heart issues and the AHA. June 21st is my “heart-versary”, and I celebrate it every year!

 

Fast forward to the spring of this year; then President-elect Nancy Carr asked me to serve as her altruistic chair. I began praying that whatever the platform was that she chose as her project, that I would be as passionate about it as I was with Paula’s. It wasn’t until the last business session of the state convention that we all learned that her platform would be CASA…Court Appointed Special Advocates. The sisters sitting at my table can attest to the fact that I just literally fell apart when Nancy revealed that. God had answered my prayer over and beyond anything I could have ever imagined! My daughter decided in the fall of 2017 that she wanted to take the classes and training necessary to become a foster parent, and asked me to take them with her so that I could be her “respite provider” when she was working. We both finished our courses in mid-April of 2018, and her first placement came on April 17th; a 2 ½ year old named Andres. And with him was a very special lady, “Miss Peggy”, who was his CASA! This woman became very near and dear to all of our hearts as she worked tirelessly on Andres’ behalf and on Becca’s to get Andres’ 4 ½ year old brother into her home, as he was placed elsewhere. 5 weeks later, we received, joyfully, Michael. Miss Peggy was instrumental in the reassignment of Michael from Dallas County back to Denton County, where he and Andres were both born. Our boys looked at Miss Peggy as another grandmother; they spent time with her at least once a week and was present at every court hearing and every visit with the boys’ attorney. Miss Peggy was/is a very important person in all of our loves, but especially our boys’!

 

So, now you understand, and I hope, will see while I will be very passionate about promoting CASA as our 2022-2024 State Altruistic project. I encourage you to call the CASA office in your county and find out how your chapters can help them/get involved over these next two years. I called our Denton County CASA, and they are sending a representative to my chapter’s August meeting. I’m looking forward to working on this project and seeing the difference our organization and our caring hearts will make in the lives of children all across our great state that are served by CASA.

​

bottom of page