Dallas CASA Seeks Volunteers

Looking for a volunteer opportunity in the new year? Dallas CASA is a non-profit organization of community volunteers who serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children. Volunteers are trained and supervised by Dallas CASA staff to gather critical information and make recommendations that help judges decide what is best for each child who comes under the protection of our local courts. A CASA volunteer is often the only constant in a child's life during a frightening, uncertain time. Few volunteer roles have such an immediate and critical impact on the life of a child as that of a CASA volunteer. Sadly, Dallas CASA is able to serve only two out of five abused and neglected children in Dallas County.

The first step to becoming a CASA volunteer is to attend a new volunteer information session. Dallas CASA information sessions describe the volunteer program and the process to become a volunteer advocate. You will learn more about the agency, the volunteer role and the training program.

Dallas CASA new volunteer information sessions will be held at the following times:

Thursday, January 17, 12-1:00 p.m., 2715 Swiss Avenue, 75204

Thursday, January 24, 6-7:00 p.m., 2815 Gaston Avenue, 75226

Tuesday, January 29, 12-1:00 p.m., 2715 Swiss Avenue, 75204

Friday, February 7, 12-1:00 p.m., 2715 Swiss Avenue, 75204

To sign up for an information session, visit dallascasa.org or call 214-827-9603 ext. 280.

“CASA volunteers play a unique role on behalf of some of our most vulnerable children. Their commitment, vigilance and persistence offer hope where there has been little.”

— Marian Edelman, Founder and President, Children's Defense Fund

Dallas CASA Needs Volunteers

Are you looking for a way to give back to the community?  We might have just the volunteer opportunity for you.  Dallas CASA is a non-profit organization of volunteers who are voices for abused and neglected children.  CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers are appointed by the courts to gather information and make recommendations to help judges decide what is in the best interest of each child.

CASA volunteers serve as a source of hope and support for child victims as they wait for courts to decide where they will safely live.  Volunteers help expedite this process and provide better outcomes for children.  For many of these abused and neglected children, CASA serves as the only constant during a frightening and uncertain time.  As a CASA volunteer, you can make an immediate impact on the life of a child.

Unfortunately, Dallas CASA is able to serve only two out of every five children who need CASA volunteers. There is a child waiting for your help.

What kind of person is a CASA volunteer?

Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and most are employed full-time. Volunteers must be 21 or older, undergo a background check and take part in a personal interview. Volunteer advocates are patient, open-minded people who have good communication skills, a history of following through on commitments and a willingness to accept guidance. Above all, they care about children.

How much time does it take to be a CASA volunteer?

Your assignment will generally range from fifteen to twenty hours per month. Most of this time can be spent in evenings or on weekends, but there are approximately eight to ten court hearings per year, as well as phone calls and occasional meetings during working hours.

You must be 21 or older to volunteer.

How do I get started?

Step 1: Attend a CASA new volunteer information session.  Click here for the schedule.
Step 2: Submit an application. The application process includes a criminal background check and a short personal interview.
Step 3: Attend training. CASA volunteers participate in an intensive 30-hour training course which covers topics such as Dynamics of Child Abuse and Neglect, Advocate Responsibilities, Family Violence, Cultural Competence, Permanency Planning, Accessing Services and Court Proceedings. All classes must be completed for a volunteer to graduate and be sworn in by the court as a CASA volunteer. Don’t let that 30 hour requirement scare you. There are nine volunteer training sessions each year, so if you have to miss a class, you can make it up and still become a volunteer. You just might not be sworn in with your class.
Click here to get started: http://dallascasa.org/how-to-volunteer/become-a-volunteer-advocate.html

Live Green in Plano Volunteer Program

Become the Ultimate Sustainable Resource – Volunteer

The Live Green in Plano Volunteer Program is a FREE series of training classes designed to educate residents on green living and enable volunteers to share their expertise with others.

Volunteer Training

Thursdays, Sept. 30 through Nov. 4

7 to 9 p.m.

Parkway Service Center (map)

4120 W. Plano Parkway (at Commerce Road)

Topics include water quality and conservation, air quality, basic composting, recycling, conscious consumption, water-conscious and chemical-free yard care, alternative energy sources, and conservation techniques.

The Live Green in Plano Volunteer Program provides 12 hours of instruction and attendees are required to complete 24 hours of volunteer service. Volunteers maintain demonstration gardens, speak to civic groups and homeowners associations, staff the reuse center, research and write articles, and participate in the Live Green Expo.

To register, contact Deb Bliss at (972) 769-4313 or debb@plano.gov

Earn your magic wand at Make-A-Wish training

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas

Wish Granter Training

August 28, 2010
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Make-A-Wish Southwest Regional Office

1407 Texas Street, Suite 101 - Fort Worth, TX 76102

Come earn your “magic wand” and meet the Program Services staff that you will be working with as you start to grant wishes.

To register or for more details, please contact Jennifer Trotter at jtrotter@northtexaswish.org.

The sole purpose of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, in order to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. We want to provide children with the hope for better times, the strength for the tough times and the joy to experience the present.

Our goal is to be a unique part of the treatment process. With doctors providing the medicine, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation supplying the magic, we strive to create miracles in the lives of some very special children.