Annual CASA Superhero Run - Every Child needs a hero but abused Children needs Superheroes.
It was a cold Texas morning in October.
The sun had just risen above the horizon and a particular group of people was amassing on the grounds of Levitt Pavilion in the city of Arlington. Among those in attendance were Superman, Wonder Woman, Black Panther, The Flash, and our very own club president—Sophie Clement. She and this band of super heroes were there to support the national Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Tarrant County. And they were going to do it by running the 6th annual CASA Superhero Run.
The purpose of CASA of Tarrant County is to recruit, train, and supervise local citizens to be voices for abused foster children in court. These volunteers gather important information that help judges to decide the best possible future for these children, and their ultimate goal is to help ensure these children find safe, loving, and permanent homes where they can thrive.
Sophie, who had raised money to support and bring awareness to CASA, has a personal stake in it. “I am very attached to the CASA cause,” Sophie says. As a court appointed special advocate for a couple of children, she wanted to give back to the organization for everything they’ve done for the children.
In 2018, 95% of children with a CASA volunteer who left foster care found a permanent home. And in Tarrant County, CASA saved taxpayers $1.1 million by reducing children’s time spent in foster care. But, there’s more work to be done. Also in 2018, Tarrant County had the 4th highest number of confirmed cases of child abuse and/or neglect in Texas, with 5,842 confirmed children of child abuse. “We still need so many people!,” Sophie entreats.
At the end of the day though, the hundreds of super heroes who supported the fun run has ensured CASA of Tarrant County will continue to support children in need in the coming future. “I was proud to run—or fast walk—to show my commitment for [CASA],” Sophie said. “And hopefully inspire more people to join the family.”
CASA is just one organization Rotary of Fort Worth International supports, and it’s continuing to reach out to others to extend its goodwill and impact to the community. For more information on CASA please visit their website at www.SpeakUForAChild.org, or on facebook.com/CASATarrantCounty
-Albert Park