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Apr 7, 2022
Hi again, Texoma!
We are thrilled to share with you another installment in our ongoing series highlighting THF grantees. These organizations make a powerful impact within our community in their own distinctive ways. You can directly support their services by giving to THF’s Community Fund. When THF receives a donation to this fund, 100% of those dollars go back to the community through grants and giving. Thank you for helping us make a difference right here in Texoma – every single day.
- The THF Team
When a child is going through the child welfare system, who is speaking on their behalf? Who represents the child in court? In 1977, Seattle Judge David Soukup wanted to know more about the children whose lives were in his hands. So he enlisted the help of community volunteers to act as the child’s “voice in court.” Known today as Court Appointed Special Advocate®, or CASAs, these individuals are able to provide the judge with information vital in safeguarding the best interests of the children.
CASA of Grayson County is the local chapter of the nationwide nonprofit organization of volunteer advocates who speak up on behalf of abused and neglected children. CASA of Grayson County is powered by local volunteers who devote hours of their time to learn about the complexities of child advocacy and to ensure that they are representing these children in the best way possible.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it deeply affected the work James Hamilton, Executive Director of Casa of Grayson County, and his team does for children in the area. “COVID affected pretty much every aspect of how we served our kids,” Hamilton explained. “Being separated, we had to shut down making face-to-face, physical contact. That was really difficult because there’s a lot of things we can learn as advocates just being in the home of children. We can determine red flags when we’re in person, and when you’re virtual, that’s much more difficult.”
As a result, Hamilton and his team made a shift to focus their efforts on a few key areas. “This last year, we put a lot of emphasis into trauma, including the attorneys we work with,” said Hamilton. “We made sure our staff were trained in trauma-based relational intervention and well-served in different ways to support children and families that are working through trauma.”
Through the THF grant, CASA and James’ team are better equipped to navigate the challenges created by COVID-19. The THF grant helped CASA provide the “behind the scenes” support that was critical to the organization’s operations, particularly in the way it uses data. The organization is currently leveraging data insights to help enhance its trauma-based relational intervention (TBRI) efforts, a system by which advocates help children address their physical needs and their fear-based behaviors. In other words, it’s the kind of comprehensive solution that THF and supporters like you help provide to Grayson County children in need of passionate advocates. “We have the ability to make a drastic difference in a child’s life,” said Hamilton. “We are not just a mentor. We have the ability to be a part of decisions and collaborate with the right people to make sure kids get what they need and they have a chance.”
He believes that “drastic difference” is what makes CASA a unique organization. And as Executive Director, part of Hamilton’s responsibilities are to counsel these volunteers and provide the assistance they need to properly advocate for children. “The number one thing I hear from our volunteers is, ‘I think I'll get too invested,’ and the number one thing I say is, ‘It’s OK to get too invested; that’s when you make the difference.’
For Hamilton, his favorite part of his job as a key leader of CASA of Grayson County, is the kids and the opportunity to serve the county he has called home for much of his life. “Within our CASA organization, one of my favorite things is being able to come up with new ways to better support our kids,” he said. “When we’re working with our community, big change is possible. I’m so proud that I get to be a part of that work.”
CASA of Grayson County helps THF meet its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities as they support children in need across our community. To learn more about their work, please visit their website.
