CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties Joins Churches Across the Country in Stand Sunday
Giddings, Texas
Since 2004, churches across the country have showed their commitment to supporting the most vulnerable populations in their communities through Stand Sunday—a globally recognized day of prayer for children and families involved in foster care on November 12, 2023. This year, CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties is joining alongside them.
“It takes a community to care for children, and that’s what these places of worship are – a community,” said Kristi Bauer, executive director of CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties. “Our hope is to inform all the diverse faith organizations in our area on ways they can make a difference for the children in foster care in Lee County.”
There were 49 children in the child welfare system in our community in calendar year 2022. Children come into foster care when their families are in crisis, and are sometimes placed in foster homes far away from everyone and everything they know and love. Through no fault of their own, they face the risk of negative outcomes like homelessness, substance use and incarceration.
“Every one of these children, whatever their current circumstances, deserves every possible chance to succeed in life,” said Bauer.
In addition to praying for these children and their families on Stand Sunday, Bauer explained that faith organizations can make a difference by partnering with CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties and encouraging members to become CASA volunteers.
CASA volunteers are everyday citizens from the community who are screened and trained, and appointed by a judge to advocate for these children’s best interests. Volunteers are designated to serve one child or sibling group and evaluate their well-being by getting to know them and speaking with any and all relevant contacts in their lives, including their parents, foster parents, family of origin, teachers, therapists and more. Their first priority is reunifying the child with their parents, whenever safe and possible. When this is not an option, they advocate for the child to live with other family members or a loving adoptive family. Whatever the case, they provide a consistent presence for the child throughout their time in foster care, and ensure they’re connected with a lifetime network of support that will help them succeed.
While Stand Sunday is sponsored by the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties encourages all people and groups to get involved in supporting these children and families.
“Whether you’re religious or not, and whether you practice prayer or not, we hope you will think of children in foster care on Stand Sunday,” Bauer said. “We also hope you’ll consider ways you can support these children and their families, like becoming a CASA volunteer.”
To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, call 512.409.0771 or visit www.BecomeACASA.org. The next CASA Volunteer Training will be held in January 2024.
