Now assigned as a sworn child advocate to her tenth case in 11 years, Linda Nichols came to Dallas CASA to gain some perspective while going through a hard time. Things soon improved in her life, but she's stuck by the children served by Dallas CASA. “I just love it,” she said of advocacy. “It’s interesting, it’s meaningful, it’s taught me so much. It’s been the perfect way to give back.”

Abbigail Best is just 26, but she's already working on her third Dallas CASA case. Her commitment at a young age is not unusual for Dallas CASA, where 49% of newly trained volunteers in 2023 were in their 20s or 30s.

When Dallas CASA volunteer Shamika Williams accepted her first case in 2020, she was ready to say yes to whatever came her way. She didn't think her next two cases would involve siblings of the first child she was assigned to. But after three years working closely with one family, Shamika is pleased all three children are safe, thriving and know their siblings.

Community-based care is coming to Dallas, but what exactly does that mean for Dallas CASA volunteers and the child victims of abuse and neglect served by the agency’s volunteers? It's part of "foster care re-design," a change being implemented by the Texas Legislature and means changes for children in care, their placements and Dallas CASA volunteers.

For Ishfaq Ahmad, a faith-based call to love all of God's creation brought him to Dallas CASA. As a Muslim, he also hopes to share with other volunteers how best to serve children in protective care who are Muslim.