The agency employs 10 staff members and has
170 active volunteers who advocate for children who have been removed
from their homes in Collin County due to abuse and neglect.
"The
move is badly needed," said Dorman, Mayor of Melissa and recipient of
the 2007 CASA Voice for Children Award. "They have been working in
less-than ideal circumstances for some time, with three people in
offices designed for one and with badly-outdated computer equipment."
The campaign includes updating technology as well as some building
modifications.
The new location offers additional office space,
parking for 24 cars, a training/board room and a small conference room
as well as a family visitation room. The current building has nine
parking spaces, one conference room and a visitation room which shares
space with the lobby, a detriment to confidential meetings between
parents and their children. Staff will have private offices for
improved confidentiality.
A small conference room in the new facility will
be used for meetings between CPS, attorneys, caseworkers, CASA
volunteers and parents. Volunteers will also have a workroom for
preparing reports equipped with a computer to network with casework
supervisors.
Collin County has been named the fastest-growing
county in Texas, growth which unfortunately brings increased rates of
abuse and neglect. "We have needed
another caseworker for some time but a lack of space has prevented us
from fulfilling this need," said
Susan Etheridge,
executive director.
Naming
opportunities are available for the building
and offices, beginning with the Diamond Level at $500,000
for the CASA building. The Platinum level, $200,000,
offers naming the training/ board room or the donor’s choice for any
room. The $100,000 Gold Level offers donors the choice
of naming the conference room or another room of the donor’s choice.
The Silver Level of $50,000 will buy a legacy for the
parent/child visitation room, toy room, outdoor play area or the donor’s
choice.
Available for naming at the $25,000 Bronze
Level are offices for the executive director, program director
and development director or the donor’s choice. The Ivory Level,
at $10,000, will fund the kitchen/break area, volunteer work
room or the staff work area. Inscribed bricks at $250
are available to honor loved ones and families as champions for
children.
Members of the capital campaign committee are:
chair, David E. Dorman, and members: Diane Chester, president of the
CASA Board of Directors; Randy Roland, vice president of the CASA
board; Barry Fromberg, CASA board treasurer, Jenni Tran, CASA board
secretary, Jose Monzon, board member; Connie Boucher of Lattimore
Materials Co., James Keller, CFP, AXA Advisors, Inc., and CASA staff
members Susan Etheridge, executive director and Kathy Blank,
development director.
