East Texas CASA

East Texas CASA recruits, trains, and coaches volunteers who advocate in court for children removed from their families because of abuse or neglect in Gregg, Rusk, and Upshur counties. A Court Appointed Special Advocate is appointed by a judge, gets to know the child and the family, and speaks to that child's safety, permanency, and well-being while they are in foster care. The organization is a member of the National CASA Association and Texas CASA — part of a volunteer movement founded in 1977 that now includes 74 programs across Texas. It recently moved its office into Judson Plaza in Longview, and it also runs a supervised visitation program called Getting Together Safely. Sue Todd serves as executive director and Jackie Eylar as program director. Annual fundraisers include a Sneaker Ball and the CASA Superhero 5K.