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D’Amico sworn in as Dallas CASA volunteer
By Jim Kilpatrick, jkilpatrick@acnpapers.com
Trixie D’Amico of Coppell was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Oct. 23 in the 305th Dallas County District Court. Dallas CASA is a non-profit organization of volunteers appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the foster care system.
As a CASA volunteer, D’Amico will serve as a voice for children who have no one else to speak for them.
“This is the first time I have done something like this,” D’Amico said.
“I completed my 30 hours, and I was set up for a court swearing-in,” D’Amico said. “Right after the swearing-in I was given a case.”
The CASA organization is built on volunteers to advocate for children.
“Dallas CASA volunteers are everyday heroes who give abused and neglected children a powerful voice and a better chance of finding safe, permanent homes where they can thrive,” said Beverly Levy, executive director. “It’s an amazing gift to give a child whose only wish is to be safe and to be loved.”
For many children, a CASA volunteer is the only constant during a frightening, uncertain time.
“This volunteer opportunity means I get to be involved with a cause that can help one child or many children have a better life and a better future,” D’Amico said.
D’Amico and her husband, Rick, and three children have lived in Coppell for 13 years.
Dallas CASA trains volunteers to advocate for the children in protective care. Advocates gather critical information and make recommendations that help judges make crucial decisions about each child’s well-being.
The organization empowers ordinary citizens to become strong voices for Dallas county children in the court system.
It is the only organization that allows everyday citizens to advocate within the court system on behalf of children in crisis.
The volunteers often make recommendations that bring about better outcomes for children under the protection of the courts.
Because they take only one case at a time, and no more than three cases, volunteer advocates can take the time necessary to get to know everyone involved in a child’s case.
Child Protective Services caseworkers often are overwhelmed by a lack of funding and a high number of cases. Dallas CASA works to fill the gap between Dallas County children and the safe, loving home each of those children deserves.
About Dallas CASA:
Established in 1979, Dallas CASA is a nonprofit organization of community volunteers who serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children.
CASA volunteers are trained and supervised to advocate for the best interests of children in protective care and to make recommendations that help judges decide what is best for each child.
In 2008, more than 400 volunteers contributed approximately 16,000 volunteer hours to assisting more than 1,000 children in the court system. Dallas CASA relies on funding primarily from the private sector to achieve its mission.
To learn more about advocating for abused children, call 214-827-8961 or visit www.dallascasa.org.
D’Amico and her husband, Rick, and three children have lived in Coppell for 13 years.
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