Friends,
We closed out 2017 with one of our best Christmas Home Tours featuring beautifully-decorated, stunning homes across the county and “first-evers” – our 1st home in the western part of the county at Long Meadow Farms, our 1st historic home and 1st partnership with the Fort Bend History Association at the Dew House. We had over 1300 guests tour these homes, one of our highest attendance records. December was also a time to celebrate the children’s achievements at our N.E.S.T. Incentive Party where 14 children enjoyed a party at Majestkids, so generously donated by the owners. Due to the incredible generosity of so many donors, our training room was transformed into Santa’s Toyland and packed with hundreds of toys and bicycles for children of all ages. Thank you to all of you who gave so generously. Thank you to our CASA Volunteers for delivering toys and bicycles to your children so they had a special Christmas! In December, we also received financial support from local foundations and were so thrilled to receive funding from Fluor Golf for Greater Houston, Fort Bend Junior Service League, The George Foundation and so many others. In closing, thank you all our volunteers and donors for the enormous impact you made in 2017 providing a voice, healing the hurt and breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect for children.
For the Children’s Sake,
Ruthanne Mefford
CEO, Child Advocates of Fort Bend
THANK YOU to the McCullough Foundation
The Ralph H. and Ruth J. McCullough Foundation gave not one, but two gifts to Child Advocates of Fort Bend in 2017. Together the two gifts equaled $15,000 and will be used for the Children’s Advocacy Center and the CASA Program. Thank you to Joe Coleman for having a heart for abused children and supporting our agency’s work.
Family First
“When it came time for us to redo our wills, my husband and I realized our giving plans had changed considerably from what they were when we were younger. After discussion, it made perfect sense to us to name Child Advocates of Fort Bend as residual beneficiary of our estate. I have been a CASA and CAC volunteer for many years, and I have seen they have helped. I truly believe this is a wonderful way to support Child Advocates of Fort Bend in its mission.” -Sylviane Hoare, CAFB Volunteer 2007-present
Reach out to let Child Advocates of Fort Bend know you are interested in learning more about how to leave a meaningful legacy for children in need and receive a free planning guide.
What would you like your legacy to be?
Contact Jessica Jubin, Development Officer jjubin@cafb.org 281.344.5136
We honor your privacy and confidentiality at all times.
End of Year Evaluations and Surveys
Happy New Year everyone!!! The CASA team would like to thank all of our advocates for your hard work, commitment, and dedication to the children. We cannot show enough gratitude for all the time, and effort you put in to serve the children of Fort Bend County. Every year, we send out a survey for your feedback asking how we can improve our services to help you fulfill your role as Guardians ad Litem. In the near future, you will receive an email including a link to a survey monkey evaluation. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey which is so important for us to know what we are doing well and what we can improve. We will also be providing feedback to you in a volunteer evaluation as we are required to do so to meet state standards. If you have any questions about either process, please feel free to contact Metoyer at mellis@cafb.org
Join us to discuss the basics of a new CASA case
A CASA Volunteer Supervisor has called you and offered you a new case!
You’re excited, but now you wonder. . . What’s Next?
What can I expect for the next few months?
What do I need to do?
Relax. . . we’ve heard these questions before and we want to help!
Whether you have a CASA case already or just want to know more before accepting a new case, this training is for YOU!
Tuesday, February 20 from 10am – noon
CAFB Large Training Room, 5403 Avenue N, Rosenberg, TX 77471
RSVP to Casey Davis at cdavis@cafb.org if you would like to attend.
Stephanie is an experienced bilingual forensic interviewer who previously worked at the Brazoria County Alliance for Children for two years as an interviewer. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Human Development from the University of Houston. She also has a Master of Arts in Criminology from University of Houston-Clear Lake. “This position fulfills me, and I am making a difference in a child’s life,” she said.
Meghan is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has her Bachelor and Master of Social Work from Texas State University. She worked as a staff clinician at IntraCare PHP before joining the Children Advocacy Center’s therapy team. Meghan also volunteered for four years at Austin State Hospital with female adolescents and has worked in child care for many years. She knew she wanted to work at an advocacy center since her internship at Roxanne’s House at Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, where she was involved in the collaboration of the organization’s multidisciplinary team. “I wanted to be part of an organization that works diligently to break the cycle of abuse,” she said.
Former Children’s Advocacy Center program assistant Lianna Estrada returned to the CAFB family this year. Lianna will be serving as a data entry specialist. Lianna has a Bachelor of Science of Fitness and Human Performance-Exercise Science. She joins us after about a year as a program coordinator at Lone Survivor Foundation. Prior to that she was with CAFB for five years. She says she is here to be part of a supportive environment with dedicated staff and is motivated by seeing the positive impact this organization has on the children and families we serve.
We are fortunate to have Meghan, Stephanie and Lianna join our growing CAFB family.
THANK YOU Majestkids!
Making connections. . .
It’s an indoor playground in Sugar Land with a wide array of indoor play structures, play areas and activities to engage children and help them develop motor and social skills. When Ferdinand Noguera, one of their owners, heard about us, he came in for a tour. After hearing about what we do, he wanted to get involved. In December, Majestic Kids reserved their entire building and hosted our Nest incentive Party to celebrate 14 children for making progress in school. More than 50 people were in attendance including children, parents, CASA Volunteers, and staff. The kids had a wonderful time and they are now eager to keep up their progress in school. A HUGE thank you to Majestic Kids!
Meet Alexis Jackson!
CASA volunteer Alexis Jackson joined us in 2016.
Special Events
As we close out the 26th annual Christmas Home Tour we are reflecting on what our events mean to this generous community. We love that all of you get excited for what we are doing to raise funds for the children and families that we serve. It’s always our goal to make each event better than the year before, but things don’t always go as we hope. Life’s curveballs like Hurricane Harvey and the fluctuating economy make fundraising difficult sometimes. As we stay focused on our mission of providing a voice, healing the hurt and breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect for children in Fort Bend County – we are inspired and determined knowing that we have the strength of so many of you supporting us.
We hope you will stay engaged with us as we raise the bar for each event, each year. Coming in 2018 is our Volunteer Appreciation Banquet on February 15th, Off to the Races Gala on May 5th and the Voices for Children Breakfast on September 27th. Stay tuned for details about our Child Abuse Prevention Month activities in April. If you have not been part of any of these events or you’d like to know more, please contact Lisa Moore at lmoore@cafb.org or 281-344-5108.
Mark your calendar!
February 8: Volunteer Information Session LUNCH ON US!
11:30am
Bring a friend and join us to learn how you can speak up for children in foster care.
February 15: Volunteer Banquet
6pm
Sweetwater Country Club
RSVP required. Guests are welcome. Checks for $25 per guest may be made payable to CAFB in advance or at the door. Details or more information
February 22: Volunteer Swearing-In Celebration Luncheon
11am – 1pm
Child Advocates of Fort Bend Training Room
Celebrating our volunteers who have completed their training. Their family and friends are welcome to join us to celebrate.
May 5, 2018: Off to the Races Gala
6pm
Sugar Land Marriott Town Square
For more information go to or contact Lisa Moore at lmoore@cafb.org
