Although turnout was sparse for last week's Lewisville Noon Rotary meeting, guest speaker John Parkhurst from CASA of Denton County gave an excellent presentation on the non-profit's mission to advocate for children who have been victims of abuse or neglect.

 

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Denton County, Inc. is a volunteer-based non-profit organization that works to ensure abused and neglected children have a safe, permanent, loving home, and promotes community awareness about child abuse issues. CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to serve as advocates for abused or neglected children removed from their homes by Child Protective Services (CPS). These volunteers investigate and monitor a child’s situation while in alternative or foster care.

 

In the past 12 months, CASA of Denton County has served 672 children who were victims of sexual abuse or whose caregivers struggle with addiction issues. Half of these children were age five or younger, and the living situation for 500 of the children served was so dire that it compromised their health and safety. Last year, 257 volunteer child advocates served with CASA of Denton County, and the organization is always looking for more people willing to give of their time and of their hearts to protect young victims of abuse and neglect in the local community.

 

CASA provides all training for prospective volunteers and offers information sessions throughout the year, which are listed on the website. The next information session will be at noon on Wednesday, March 9th, at the CASA of Denton County Volunteer Training Facility, 604 N. Bell Avenue, Suite 610 in Denton. Volunteers are everyday people from all different backgrounds, Parkhurst noted, including teachers, business people, retirees, and stay-at-home parents. They simply share a common goal of making a difference for children who might otherwise slip through the cracks in an overburdened foster care system. However, volunteers must be at least 21 years old, successfully pass background and screening checks, and be willing to make at least an 18-month commitment, among other requirements. 

 

To learn more about the non-profit organization and volunteer opportunities, visit casadenton.org. 

Lewisville Noon Rotary will be holding a blood drive at the Flower Mound YMCA on Wednesday, March 30th, from 9:00am - 3:00pm. An email announcement with a link to sign up will be sent to all club members soon. Please contact Dr. Michelle Martz with any questions.

If you want credit for a make-up, contact LNR Membership chair Terry Russell to let him know when and where you attended another Rotary club meeting, or the date and service activity that you participated in to count as a make up. You have two weeks before and two weeks after a missed meeting to make up for your absence. Make-ups are a great way to meet Rotarians from other clubs and become more engaged with the outreach activities we do in the local community!