Oh how the time flies when you are having fun... in addition to all that jumpstarting a nonprofit organization entails. This year, CASA of Johnson County is celebrating its five year anniversary!
Texas CASA is part of a national volunteer movement that began over 30 years ago, when a judge in Seattle decided he needed to know more about the children whose lives were in his hands. The solution he started was using community volunteers as a "voice in court" for abused and neglected children. These Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) provided him with the detailed information he needed to safeguard the children's best interests and ensure that they were placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. The program was so successful that it was copied around the nation. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.
CASA of Johnson County was founded February 20, 2003 when Judge John Neill saw the need for a CASA organization in our community. Volunteers took their first cases in July 2003. Since then, CASA has been assigned to over 100 cases and served more than 300 abused and neglected children in Johnson County. We currently have 63 trained volunteers and five full time and two part time office staff providing a powerful voice for 315 abused and neglected children in Johnson County.
"As a judge, I had to make crucial decisions. I had to decide whether to take a child from the only home he's ever known or leave him somewhere with the possibly of being abused. I needed someone who could tell me what was best for that child from the child's viewpoint. That's what CASA does," said founder, Judge Neill. "CASA volunteers have truly become champions for these children."
Today, the CASA movement has evolved into one of the largest volunteer organizations in the country. There are more than 900 CASA programs in operation - at least one in every state - and more than 52,000 trained volunteer advocates nationwide. In fiscal year 2007, 4,928 CASA volunteers advocated for the best interests of 20,509 abused and neglected children in foster care statewide. Currently, there are 68 local CASA programs serving 202 counties. This network of community volunteers provides advocacy and support services for some of the most vulnerable residents of the state.
For new volunteer, Mike Shaw, the decision to join CASA was a calling. "I really think God opened doors for me to get involved with CASA," said Shaw. "I believe that He desires for me to help children find hope in the bleak situations in which they find themselves."
We believe that all children have the right to a home with loving people to care for them. But each year in the United States, children are abused, neglected or abandoned by their families. They are removed from their homes and placed in foster care or institutions. Eventually, they end up in court. Their only "crime" is that they have been victims. It is up to the judge to decide their future.
That's where CASA comes in. CASA volunteers are Court Appointed Special Advocates for children - trained community volunteers appointed by a judge as Officers of the court to speak up for children in court, and to help to humanize the often frightening and confusing child welfare and legal systems for these children.
As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, volunteers, board members, and staff alike are looking into the future with anticipation.
"This is truly an exciting time to be apart of CASA of Johnson County," proclaimed executive director, Missy Nelson! "Since our establishment in 2003, we have really gained a wealth of support within the community. Our peers and counterparts have indeed begun to recognize and value the insight we add to these cases."
In the words of Greg Anderson, " When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life."
Having said that, our goal is to reach 100% of Johnson County's neglected children within the next two years. At this time, Johnson Country has 240 kids in care. With the dedicated support of 63 active volunteers, we are currently serving 105 of those 240 children. In order to catapult CASA of Johnson County's radius beyond the 46 percentile we must unite in the recruitment of volunteers. Faithful volunteers are the backbone of this organization, with enough collaboration, no goal is too lofty and no child is forgotten.
As is the case with all volunteer capacities, when one step is taken forward, an issue often surfaces knocking you two steps back. Although it is an instant kneejerk reaction to get discouraged, keep in mind that as a volunteer, YOU are doing more than anyone else to help our kids succeed.
A member of the first training class, Pat McCall committed to volunteering for CASA of Johnson County in 2003 because she thought, just maybe she could make a difference in a child's life. "I would hear stories of neglected children and become so overwhelmed with anger and helplessness," said McCall. "Things don't always turnout exactly the way you want them to, but if you have a heart for kids, CASA is an organization that gives you the tools to make a difference."
CASA of Johnson County's goal is to ensure that every child in our county who needs a CASA has a CASA. A CASA volunteer can make a lasting impression in the life of an abused child. If you would like to help, please contact CASA of Johnson County at (817-558-6995).
Please unite with us in celebration of our past, and dedication to the future of our children.
