Dallas CASA 30th Anniversary
Established in 1979 as one of three pilot programs in the United States, Dallas CASA welcomed its first class of volunteer advocates in 1980. Since then Dallas CASA volunteers have served abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interests in court and by helping these children find safe, permanent homes. Countless children have had a voice in court and now live safely and happily because of dedicated volunteers.
In 2010, we built upon the efforts of the volunteers, board members and donors who founded the organization, as well as those who have supported us for the past 30 years. Although we have grown a great deal, we serve only one-third of the abused and neglected children who come into care in Dallas County. Our vision is to have a CASA volunteer for every abused and neglected child and to serve those children as long as they are in care.
During our 30th anniversary year we:
- Increased community awareness of child abuse and of the important role of CASA volunteers.
- Recruited more volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children.
- Enhanced our financial capacity to support our volunteers who serve children in need.
- Re-engaged former volunteers, board members and donors.
The anniversary year ended with a Homecoming Reunion celebration, which honored those who stand up for abused children.
Ring of Honor
The 30th Anniversary Ring of Honor recognized a very special group of dedicated and generous Dallas CASA volunteer advocates, supporters and community leaders who worked tirelessly on behalf of abused and neglected children in Dallas during the past 30 years. This was our tribute to those who have helped CASA's kids in extraordinary ways.
30th Anniversary Leadership
Dallas CASA is grateful to the 30th anniversary co-chairs, Madeleine Johnson, General Counsel, Southwest Airlines, and Paul Coggins, Partner, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP, for their leadership and successful efforts to enlist their colleagues' support and develop new partnerships for CASA in the community. Cornerstones of the campaign included two groups, the Committee for 30 and the Leadership Counsel of 30.
Dallas CASA was privileged to have the support and commitment of more than 40 prominent Dallas business and community leaders who came together to raise awareness about the plight of abused and neglected children in Dallas County and to spread the word about how ordinary citizens could become everyday heroes for children. These leaders hailed from diverse professional backgrounds including law enforcement, locally based corporations, civic organizations, educational institutions and places of worship. Meet our Committee for 30.
Members of the Leadership Counsel of 30, made up of 30 General Counsel from local corporations, pledged to help the agency recruit volunteers within their organizations and spread the word about the community's role in responding to cases of child abuse and neglect. Meet our Leadership Counsel of 30.
Ways to Help
There are many ways that companies and individuals can help us achieve our goals.
Please join us as we prepare for the next 30 years of changing children's lives.
