In 2024, 214 children were moved through the Rockwall and Kaufman County courts after having been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Each one of those scared, traumatized children had a Lone Star CASA advocate to help them make it through the process. This year alone we have seen the core of Lone Star CASA's program is recruiting, training, and supporting citizen volunteer CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) who function as Guardians ad Litem. Without guidance and support, prospects for children in foster care are dim, but CASAs help change this trajectory, primarily by becoming a consistent, caring adult presence in the life of the child.
Here are a few statistics from FY 2024:
The mission of Lone Star CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is to recruit, train, & support community volunteers, appointed as Guardians ad Litem, to advocate for the best interests of children of Rockwall & Kaufman Counties who have been removed from their home and come into the foster care system with an opened court case due to abuse or neglect. The primary goal - a CASA for every child in need in the program area to provide guidance and support until he or she is placed in a safe, permanent home, free of abuse.
Currently, the need in our community is growing—and so is our response. So far this year, we’ve served 266 children, a 24% increase from last year. To keep up with this rising demand, we have expanded our staff, and we’re preparing to recruit and train more volunteers.
We’re also excited to launch a brand-new initiative: the Justice Involved Youth (JIY) program. Starting September 1, this program will stand alongside youth on formal probation in Kaufman County, ensuring they have a guardian ad litem to advocate for them, encourage positive choices, and guide them toward a brighter future. It costs $95,000 to fund this program, and we’ve raised just $10,000 so far. That means we still need $85,000 to reach these youth before it’s too late.
For over 30 years, Lone Star CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) has worked to provide our courts with the information needed to act in the best interests of abused and neglected children in Rockwall and Kaufman Counties, and to ensure that all children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.
View our current participation opportunities.
Rock the Block
Ongoing
In-person
Organization name
Lone Star CASA
Tax id (EIN)
75-2425980
Causes
Youth & Children
Operating Budget
$500,000 - $999,999
Counties Served
Kaufman, Rockwall
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Address
108 Kenway Street