November 24 – CASA for Hunt County has received a $25,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to support the “Renovation Required: New Home for Volunteer Advocates” project. The funds will go toward architectural expenses to design a safe, efficient and permanent office space at 2701 Washington St. in Greenville.
Earlier this year, the organization purchased a 3,600-square-foot building that requires a total renovation to meet the needs of the CASA. The new space will expand their ability to train and support volunteer advocates who work tirelessly to represent the interests of children in the foster care system.
“If CASA for Hunt County were a company, our products would be volunteer advocates for children,” said Lori Cope, executive director of CASA. “We cannot serve the county’s children – who have entered the overwhelmed foster care system through no fault of their own – without these dedicated advocates.”
Cope said CASA volunteers provide an independent voice and meaningful advocacy for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The new office will include a large training and meeting room, private offices for case strategy and a networking space for volunteers to support this vital work.
“The volunteers go above and beyond to ensure every child knows they are more than a case number: that they are valued and heard,” Cope added. “This new home office is for them because without their work our job could not be accomplished.”
The Texas Bar Foundation, the nation’s largest charitable organization, has awarded more than $28 million in grants to law-related programs since its founding in 1965. With support from members of the State Bar of Texas, the foundation grant will advance CASA for Hunt County. its mission to ensure that children in crisis receive safe and permanent homes.
CASA for Hunt County invites community members to contribute goods, services or financial support to make its vision a reality. For more information about how you can become a CASA volunteer or support the renovation project, please email casa@casaforhuntcounty.org.