Over the past decade, Dallas CASA “has experienced tremendous growth.” Why, in 2023 alone, “1,088 Dallas CASA volunteers were assigned to serve 2,151 children in protective care” in Dallas County.
As a result, the group “has been able to serve every Dallas child in need with an advocate for five years.”
According to Dallas CASA President/CEO Kathleen LaValle said, “Our board dreamed an audacious dream: to serve every Dallas County victim of child abuse or neglect who needs us. Now that we’re doing that, their tremendous support has only increased. Our board provides the vision and resources supporting our ability to better advocate for victims of human trafficking, youth aging out of care, foster children with educational needs and so much more. Our board’s depth of caring and compassion combined with real-world leadership skills inspires us. they are the heartbeat of this agency.”
To continue the support and input of it volunteer leaders, the following members have been added to the board Rob Calderin, Chris Jaquez, Lauren Rose Sands and Nicki Stafford.
Succeeding Board Chair Cynt Marshall is Scott Orr, who has been a longtime Dallas CASA board member.
Other Dallas CASA officers include: Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect Janice Z. Davis, Immediate Past Chair Cynt Marshall, Community Outreach VP Aaliyah Haqq, Development VP Kristy Hoglund Robinson, Governance VP Paige Richey, Finance VP Susan H. Novit, Assistant Treasurer Greg May and Secretary Retta A. Miller.
In addition to members-at-large Mark Berg, Veree Brown, Jamal Carty, Jim Lozier, Stephen B.L. Penrose and LaValle are retired board members Vicky Gunning and Cindy Pladziewicz, who have been named emeritus directors.
* Photo provided by Dallas CASA