About Us

Young man taking selfie with little kids indoors. Child adoption

History

Golden Crescent CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) was established in 1995 with the mission to protect and defend the most vulnerable among us. Our sworn child advocates are given constant support and guidance by professional staff as they undergo training in child development, communication, and cultural competency skills. We are made up of, and for, the community.

Currently, Golden Crescent CASA serves as Guardian ad Litem for children in foster care in Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Refugio, and Victoria counties. Each CASA provides dedicated support on a one-to-one basis through services, treatment, and placement, allowing the child, their family, all the professionals involved to develop a trusting and nurturing relationship with the volunteer.

Impact for Children

CASA volunteers stay by a child’s side throughout the case, advocating first for reunification when safe and
possible. If reunification is not safe or possible, CASA volunteers will advocate for the child to be adopted by, or live with, other relatives or family friends. If that is also not possible, CASA volunteers will work towards adoption
by a non-relative.
No matter what, CASA volunteers will keep in contact with the support network until the case closes so that
everyone continues to put the child’s best interests first.

You can help make an impact! Click here to learn more

Mission Statement

CASA Volunteers support children and families involved in the child welfare system. At Golden Crescent CASA, our mission is to utilize trained volunteers appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of the children and families we serve.

Portrait of smiling African American mom and little Caucasian daughter look at camera cooking in kitchen together, happy biracial mother and small girl child have fun preparing healthy food at home

Our Volunteers

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer gathers information from everyone involved in a child’s daily life, including members of the child’s family, foster parents, teachers, lawyers, social workers and other relevant persons.

Then, they report to a judge in order to advocate for the child’s best interests.

Ideally, CASA volunteers will work towards reuniting the child with their family of origin whenever safe, and if reunification is not possible, they may recommend placing the child with extended family or family friends.

CASA volunteers, like the children they help, come from all walks of life.

Become A CASA

CASA Staff

Linda (Lyn) Duenes, Interim Executive Director, lduenes@goldencrescentcasa.org

Diana Sneed, Program Director, dianas@goldencrescentcasa.org

Kelcey Norwood, CASA Coordinator, gccasa@goldencrescentcasa.org

Charlene Moreno, Community Engagement Specialist, charlenem@goldencrescentcasa.org

Leticia Lechuga, Volunteer Supervisor Calhoun County, leticial@goldencrescentcasa.org

Christine Tovar, Volunteer Supervisor Victoria County, ctovar@goldencrescentcasa.org

Flora Hernandez, Volunteer Supervisor Refugio, Goliad, Victoria Counties, fhernandez@goldencrescentcasa.org

Darla Sanders, Volunteer Supervisor Gonzales & Lavaca Counties, dsanders@goldencrescentcasa.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tracy Gore, President

Jennifer Farris, Treasurer

Tammy Kotzur, Secretary

Marco Porras, Immediate Past President

Erica Bancuch, Director

Amanda Bedgood-Collins, Director

Jeanie Bauer, Director

Luther Easley, Director

Celeste Hunter, Director

Pam Lahodny, Director

Regina May, Director

Nick Perez, Director

Tyre Post, Director

Virginia Post, Director

Mia Talley, Director

OUR SUPPORTERS

Jeanie Bauer

Certified Training & Safety, Inc.

Cole, Cole, Easley & Sciba, P.C. Trial Attorneys

Betty Jo and Donald Elder

Mary Cay & Steve Barker - Brannan Paving, CO,. LTD - Lisa & Donald Breech - Jewel & Bill Buchanan - Amanda Bedgood Collins Wells Fargo Advisors - Christa Donoghue - Rhea and Fred Fry - Penni Gietz - Glazer's Beer & Beverage - John Griffin & Lynn Knaupp - Tracy & Wayne Gore - Guaranty Title of South Texas - Marvin Harvey & Kathryn Schaper - Tim Hornback & Bob McKnight - Joyce Hyak - Justin Jaks - KMH Wealth Management, LLC, Keller & Associates CPAs, PLLC - Tammy Kotzur - Kelly & Casey Kucera - Janey & Melvin Lack - Mary & Gary Post and Family - Prosperity Bank - Aggie & John Quitta - Mark Zafereo

Privacy Statement

Your privacy is very important to us. We recognize that visitors to our site may be concerned about the information they provide to us, and how we treat that information. The following information concerning the gathering and use of personal information through this site is being provided to enable you to make knowledgeable choices about whether to provide information to us and to give you the opportunity to limit the manner in which personal information about you is used. Please read this privacy statement carefully before using this site. Your use of this site indicates your consent to our processing, use, disclosure and transfer of your personal information as described in this privacy statement. We may revise this privacy statement from time to time. You are responsible for checking this statement when you visit our site to review the current privacy statement. If you do not agree with the privacy statement, you should cease using the site immediately.

What information does Golden Crescent CASA gather through the site?

You will need to provide certain information to obtain services or to complete transactions initiated by you through the site. If you choose not to provide information, we may not be able to provide those services or to complete those transactions. Please keep in mind that the more optional fields you enter enables Golden Crescent CASA to provide enhanced products and/or services to you. You also may be required to provide additional registration information to obtain special services or to complete transactions initiated by you (e.g. recording a stated desire to donate online through this site through a company-sponsored campaign).

How does Golden Crescent CASA use personal information?

Golden Crescent CASA uses personal identifiable information it gathers from you in connection with the provision of the services available to you through the site and in completing the transactions initiated by you. Listed below are some of the ways in which your information may be used:

to improve Golden Crescent CASA services;
to customize the content and/or layout of our site for each individual visitor;
to notify you about new opportunities or activities of Golden Crescent CASA or our agencies;
to ask for your participation in brief surveys;
to generate aggregate statistical studies;
to complete any transactions you may do at the site (which will include providing your information to the relevant agencies so that they can complete your transaction).

If you live or work outside the United States of America, from time to time, your personal information may be transferred to a country different from where you are located, and processed there in accordance with this privacy statement. You hereby consent to such transfers and processing as described in this privacy statement. With whom does Golden Crescent CASA share my personal information? Golden Crescent CASA will not sell, reveal or share with unaffiliated third parties any of your personally identifiable information except in the following limited circumstances:

we have your permission to share the information;
we are authorized to do so under this privacy statement; or
we are required by law to disclose your information or to protect against fraud or
illegal activity.

Linked Sites

If you click on a hypertext link that takes you to another site outside of Golden Crescent CASA, we are not responsible for the information collection practices and use at that other site. In addition, when you initiate a transaction through such a link, the information you and we submit to such an entity to complete your transaction becomes subject to that entity’s privacy or information use policies. Golden Crescent CASA is not responsible for the privacy or information use policies of such entities. Whom may I contact for more information? If you would like to be deactivated from the Golden Crescent CASA mailing lists, or if you would like to update your personal information, you may notify us by email or postal mail. Golden Crescent CASA will use reasonable efforts to promptly resolve any issues. Here’s how to reach us: Phone: 361-573-3734 or Email: gccasa@goldencrescentcasa.org