The Children We Serve:
Each year, thousands of children in Tarrant County are confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect. These children have experienced terrible trauma, and their lives are turned upside down. Child Protective Services takes legal responsibility for them, and may place them in a foster home or other facility. Due to too few foster homes, siblings are often split up into different places. Children are rarely able to stay in their own schools, day cares, or communities. Everything they have known is gone. Through no fault of their own, these abused children have become a part of an overburdened child welfare system. They deserve a voice in the courtroom. They need a CASA volunteer!
Our Volunteers:
CASA of Tarrant County has over 300 active volunteers who come from all walks of life. They span all age ranges. Some are just beginning in the workforce, and others are retired. Over half our volunteers work full-time and have families. Some have backgrounds in the criminal justice system, social work, or child welfare. Other volunteers have no such experience at all.
“When I started working my case, I was the only one who spoke Spanish, this was crucial to ensure that nothing was getting lost in translation, but this also built a sense of trust, allowing the kiddos and family to express their feeling and experiences authentically in their own language.”
—CASA volunteer Teiruma Fernandez Garcia
“I follow my CASA kids’ leads. Because I work with preteens and older, I’m able to learn about them through conversation and observation. I like allowing them to teach me about themselves and their interests.”
—CASA volunteer Jane Pavelco
“Think about the kids who could use someone like you to lean on. Think about the impact you could make, and lives you could change. They are too young to know what they deserve, but you are not. Be that person for them.”
—CASA volunteer Pierre Conan
“The child is one piece of it. Think of it as part detective work and part maintaining consistency. When it comes to communicating with the child, you have to ask, ‘Are you okay? Are you talking to your parents?’ You maintain the relationship so they can trust you.”
—CASA volunteers Ryan and Michael Kite-Hedges
Our Board Members:
Led by Board President, Stefanie Mauler of The Mauler Institute, our Board Members are dedicated to providing advocates for every abused and neglected child in our community, so they can experience love, support, and safety—what every child deserves.
“The CASA mission and organization fills a gap in our community. Lawyers and case workers can change over the course of a child's experience in the judicial system, but CASA’s play a consistent role in the children’s lives they serve.”—Board Member Nina Wollman
“I am involved with CASA because its mission is critical to the well-being of children whose lives have been thoroughly upended through no fault of their own.” —Board Member John Gerdes
“I love CASA’s Mission and Vision! I want to be the one to stand up on behalf of the abused and neglected children.”—Board Member Michelle Marlow
“I believe that children are the future and instrumental to the well being and success of Tarrant County. When we invest in our children, we invest in our community.”
—Board Member Jon McCartney
Our Staff:
Led by CEO Don Binnicker, our staff members consist of Program Staff, who supervise CASA volunteers, Development Staff, Operations, Recruitment, Training and Community Engagement Teams. Click here to see full staff listing.
“I decided to work at CASA because I aligned with their mission and vision. I wanted to help make a difference and work with people who share that interest. While working at CASA, I have enjoyed every minute of it. CASA is able to help so many children and families by being that constant person and advocate. CASA is able to ensure everyone’s voices are heard. It has also been such a pleasure meeting and working with advocates that have such diverse backgrounds and bring so much experience.”—Child Advocacy Specialist Rachel Call
“I enjoy working for CASA because I get to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Life has so many twists and turns causing uncertainty for them, and I want to be the sure thing in their life. My goal is for them to know without question that I will always speak up for them and for their best interest. CASA allows me to fulfill my life’s calling and that is service to others!!!”—Child Advocacy Supervisor Tracy Williams
“It is both a privilege and a blessing to be on the CASA team! To work with an organization that makes such an invaluable difference in the lives of children whose worlds have been turned upside down, is unquestionably the most heartfelt and fulfilling experience of my career. I am in awe of the dedicated advocates that give so selflessly to change the future for these children by providing a light of hope and positivity in their world.” —Community Engagement Specialist Suzanne Yowell
“I like working at CASA because it has been a soft place to land after years of working extremely stressful jobs. Between the consistency of the schedule, support from coworkers, and fulfillment I feel at the end of the day knowing I helped a child in need, I couldn’t ask for a better job. “ —Child Advocacy Specialist Reagan Edwards
HISTORY
In 1977, a Seattle Superior Court Judge named David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information. He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court. He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement.
In 1983, Judge Scott Moore, presiding judge of the 323rd Judicial District at that time, along with community volunteers Rhoda Bernstein and Monna Loftis, and CPS Director Wayne Hairgrove, formed the original steering committee that brought the CASA concept to Tarrant County.
Through the years, CASA of Tarrant County has shown consistent growth in the number of children served each year. The ultimate goal is to provide every child in foster care who needs one with a highly trained CASA volunteer.
CASA of Tarrant County provides an unduplicated service in our community. Our program is highly respected within the judicial system and maintains an excellent working relationship with all parties associated with the legal process. Additionally, CASA of Tarrant County is an affiliate in good standing with both National CASA Association and Texas CASA.
MISSION
CASA of Tarrant County and its court-appointed volunteers advocate
for the best interest of abused and neglected children
VISION
Provide a CASA volunteer to every child who needs one
PROMISE
Raising a voice against the unspeakable