April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Kids of South Central Texas is hosting the first annual Casting for CASA Virtual Fishing Tournament & Family Day at Lake Somerville Marina and Campground. In doing this, they hope to raise awareness of the need for members of the community to step up and become CASA volunteers.
The fishing tournament is an online bass and catfish competition. Once registered, participants may fish anywhere and anytime between April 1 and May 1 and upload the photos of their catch to be judged. Academy gift cards will be awarded for biggest and smallest fish in each category. On May 1, CASA will host a Family Day at Lake Somerville Marina and Campground, where the winners will be announced. Additionally, they will have LJ’s BBQ pulled pork sandwiches for $5 (while supplies last), games, and a silent auction. Bring diapers or a gift card valued at $10 or more to be entered into a Wine & Whiskey Raffle.
CASA volunteers are everyday people from all walks of life who are recruited and specially trained to advocate for children in foster care and provide a consistent, reliable adult presence for them during a difficult time in their life.
“Our volunteers’ first priority is to keep families together whenever safe and possible,” says Mandy Wright, Executive Director of CASA for Kids. “Foster care is only a temporary solution to the problems at hand. We need to create long term support networks that work to care for families, make reunification a possibility, and help break the cycle for the next generation.”
Locally, CASA for Kids served 158 children in the foster care system in Austin, Colorado, Waller and Washington Counties in 2020.
“There is always a need for more CASA volunteers,” Wright says. “By becoming a volunteer, you can take your efforts beyond just awareness, and do your part to help support children and families in crisis right here in our community.”
When reunification is not a possibility for the children they serve, CASA volunteers work to find others that can provide a positive, healthy and loving environment. These can include relatives, friends, and other adults that are important in the child’s life — keeping a child connected to their home community.
“We at CASA for Kids of South Central Texas always hope for the day when CASA, foster care and a national month dedicated to child abuse prevention are no longer needed because all children are growing up safe, secure and supported with their families,” Wright says. “Until then, we will continue to seek more members of the community to join our growing movement so that we can provide a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one.”
CASA would like to thank their community sponsors for making this event possible: Jim Krajeck, Republic Services, ALegacy Equipment LLC, Citizens State Bank of Brenham, Bank of Brenham, Cannon Companies, Valley Solvents & Chemicals, KTEX/KWHI, Waller County Land Company, LJ's BBQ, Jann & Bill Klett, Henry & Fran Strait, Bob & Carol Benter, Waller County Farm Bureau, Thyme Day Spa, Lake Somerville Marina & Campground, and Susan & Ron Shifflett.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. If you see abuse, report it to 1 (800) 252-5400 or go to txabusehotline.org. If a child’s life is in danger, call 911. To register or learn more, visit wespeak4kids.org.
