I am both honored and excited to address you today as the newly appointed Board President. As I reflect on the past 3 years I have served CASA, I am in awe of the profound impact our Court Appointed Special Advocates have on the lives of neglected and abused children.

As Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “The measure of a society is how it treats its weakest members.” There is no more vulnerable member of our community than a child who has been so abused or neglected that they have been removed from their family home.

Each year, over 500 children are removed from their homes in Tarrant County. Foster care can be a challenging and uncertain journey for children, filled with hurdles that no child should ever have to face alone. But because of our CASAs, these children are not alone. CASAs become their voice, their champion, and their unwavering support system.

Ninety-five percent of children in foster care who have a CASA find a permanent home - by reunifying with their parents, living with relatives, or seeking adoption. They spend an average of 4 fewer months in foster care and are more likely to succeed in school. Many, like Mackenzie, go on to become successful members of our community and pay it forward by becoming a CASA themselves.

Last year, our team of dedicated volunteers and staff provided advocacy and support for 957 children. But, there is more work to be done. There are currently 464 children waiting for an advocate. They are lonely and scared and in desperate need of a consistent adult on whom they can rely. Half the children who do not have a CASA are incarcerated by the time they are 23 years old and 25% experience homelessness. Together, we can see that doesn’t happen to one more child. 

The challenges ahead are significant, but so is our collective strength and determination. I invite you to get involved. Attend or host an Advocate Information Session, join the Young Professionals Society, or donate much needed funds and resources. Together, we have the power to make a lasting difference in the lives of our society’s weakest members. There is no nobler cause than protecting our children and giving them a chance at a future filled with hope and success.

Warm Regards,
Stef Mauler
President, Board of Directors