Unlike years before, when Dallas CASA‘s Cherish The Children format was to have a guest speaker, this year’s luncheon on Friday, April 19, at the Omni Dallas Hotel was to have a panel discussion on the welfare of children in the area. The conversation drew a crowd of guests including Dallas County judges (LaDietra Atkins, Andrea Martin, Audrey Moorehead and Andrea Plumlee), associate judges (Danielle Diaz, Jean Lee and Drew Ten Eyck), Dallas County Commissioners Court members (Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins and Dr. Theresa Daniel), Dallas City Council member Zarrin Gracey and Dallas CASA board members Corey Anthony, Rob Calderin, Christie Carter, Margaret Cervin, Janice Z. Davis, Kathleen LaValle, Cynt Marshall, Greg May, Stephen B.L. Penrose, Paige Richey, Nicki Stafford and Linda Swartz.
Another highlight of the day was the presentation of the 2024 Caroline Rose Hunt Cherish the Children Award to philanthropist/community leader Betty Regard. Here’s a report from the field:
Dallas CASA’s annual Cherish the Children luncheon drew a crowd of dedicated Dallas CASA supporters to the Omni Dallas Hotel Friday, April 19.
Addressing the general state of child welfare in the region including education, safety, housing, poverty and more, a panel of speakers featured Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Dallas Regional Chamber Senior Vice President of Inclusion and Community Engagement Latosha Herron Bruff and Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Stephanie Muth. Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, a longtime Dallas CASA supporter, former chair of the board and sworn child advocate, moderated.
Herron Bruff shared her take on “under-championed” communities, as opposed to under-resourced or under-served.
“Under-championed is something that applies to all of us, and that means that it’s going to take all of us working together,” she said. “CASA volunteers are exactly what being champions looks like.”
The trio focused on ways to create more opportunities for children.
“We don’t have achievement gaps in our schools,” Elizalde said. “We have opportunity gaps in our schools.” Marshall chimed in with her thoughts on “at risk children.” With appropriate support, they become “at risk of becoming doctors and lawyers.”
Commissioner Muth, who joined the Department of Family and Protective Services in 2023, shared with the crowd of 400 guests that her first experience in child welfare was as a CASA volunteer. As commissioner, she has had the “pleasure of talking to youth who have aged out of care” and spoke of their resilience, determination and grit. She has noticed a theme arise in those conversations – the difference one caring adult can make.
“What can make a difference is one person who makes an investment, shows interest and helps a youth see the possibilities. One person can change the trajectory of a young person’s life,” she said.
With North Texas one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, Herron Bruff said the area should focus on creating opportunities for all to make the lives of children and families better,
“So many people are moving to our region, but not everyone is benefiting from that prosperity,” she said. “We need to prioritize people, good-paying jobs, access to opportunities and housing.”
Elizalde talked about her dual commitments to educational excellence and equity.
“The word equity can scare some people,” she said. “But it’s a not a zero-sum game. We can never use the word equity without excellence. They go hand in hand.”
The event was hosted by Dallas CASA Children’s Council, with Lisa Tenorio Truppa and Jessilyn Thiboult Wilson as co-chairs.
Dallas CASA honored Betty Regard with the 2024 Caroline Rose Hunt Cherish the Children Award. Regard was one of Dallas CASA’s earliest volunteers and board members more than 40 years ago and has remained an active and engaged supporter. Wilson shared with the crowd that when organizers decided to honor Regard, they knew no ordinary speaker would do.
“Betty’s intellectual curiosity, her deep personal concern for children and her willingness to five headfirst into difficult issues made us realize today’s luncheon needed to be different,” Wilson said. “We needed a special program to honor a special friend.”
All funds raised at the luncheon go to support serving child victims of abuse or neglect who are living in the protective care of the state. Dallas CASA’s volunteers go through 30 hours of training before being sworn in by judges to advocate for the best possible outcomes for these children.
Presenting sponsors for the luncheon included Pioneer Natural Resources and The Rosewood Foundation. Guests enjoyed an ancient grains bowl with grilled chicken breast, baby kale, roasted sweet potato and cauliflower and a quinoa-orzo salad and watermelon relish.
* Photo credit: Rosanne Lewis ** Photo credit: Roma Modlin Photography
