CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates

What is CASA?

In 1989, Kappa Alpha Theta selected the National Court Appointed Special Advocate Assocation as the Fraternity's national philanthropy. This program provides trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. With the information provided by CASA volunteers, judges are able to make informed decisions as to what is best for the child - foster care, reunification, or adoption, and in a more timely fashion, so these children still have a chance at childhood. CASA programs can help a displaced child find the security he or she needs to grow and reach full potential. Studies show that:

• Abused and neglected children who have CASA volunteers have a better chance of living in safe, permanent and loving homes than children who do not have volunteers.
• CASA involvement often reduces the number of times a child is moved from foster home to foster home. - CASA cases are more likely to be reviewed on a regular basis by the court.
• A child with a CASA volunteer is more likely to receive treatment through community services. CASA programs save tax dollars. The association (CASA) has member affiliates in more than 530 communities and over 30,000 volunteers assisting 100,000 children, and operates in all 50 states. CASA has been endorses by the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and by the American Bar Association.

How does the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation support CASA?

The Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation gives an annual grant to the National Association ($60,000 in 1998-99) to support their toll free phone number, educational materials and displays for volunteers, and the Kappa Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year. Dollars contributed by generous individuals and chapters/clubs to the annual fund drive conducted by the Foundation go to support the grant to CASA as well as the educational grant to the Fraternity.

How can I get involved with CASA?

College and alumnae chapters/clubs help by raising money for CASA programs, providing office support, making toys or items for CASA children, hostessing events for CASA children or by becoming CASA volunteers themselves. Contact the National CASA Association at 1-800-628-3233 or Kappa Alpha Theta Headquarters at 1-800-526-1870 to find out the name and address of the CASA program closest to you. CASA programs can be found in all 50 states. CASA programs are known locally as Guardian ad Litem, Child Advocates, Prokids, FOCAS and Voices for Children.

Visit CASA's website at www.nationalcasa.org

How does Beta Rho chapter support CASA?

Kappa Alpha Theta at Duke supports CASA through a number of philanthropy projects, the biggest of which is our Queso For CASA event at the Armadillo Grill. This past December, hundreds of Duke students came out to the Dillo and enjoyed great food and great company; $1 from each Texas-sized queso and 5% of all proceeds that night -- $300 in all! – were donated to CASA.

What other philanthropy does Beta Rho do?

Outside of our work with CASA, Thetas at Duke participate in a number of other volunteer activities both on and off campus. For example, we help other Greek organizations with their philanthropy projects such as our involvement in the annual Alpha Omicron Pi dodgeball tournament or our second place finish in the 2006 Sigma Chi Derby Days competition. Additionally, many members of our chapter participate in other service projects on a regular basis, such as volunteering at the Morris Cancer Center, tutoring students in Durham public schools, and mentoring through Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America.

In addition to our dedication to service within the sorority, several Thetas have made individual philanthropy a priority during their Duke careers.  For example, Beta Rho members can be found tutoring English as a second language to Durham residents, working with patients in the Duke Hospital, and teaching elementary school students about nutrition through the CHE (Children's Health Education) Program.