Blessed Matai, Kerry Schindler elected to CASA for the Cross Timbers Area’s board of directors.

By Cheyenne Pena

Special to Beneath the Surface News

Kerry Schindler and Mauro Blessed Matai were recently elected to serve on the CASA for the Cross Timbers Area board of directors.

“We are excited to welcome Kerry and Blessed to our board,” said CASA executive director Mindy Wooley.

“They bring a notable perspective with experience from higher education and public service.”

The board governs CASA for the Cross Timbers Area, a nonprofit organization that provides trained volunteer advocates for children who are in foster care due to allegations of abuse or neglect.

There are currently 25 professionally-trained volunteers serving 66 children in foster care in Eastland, Erath, Bosque and Hamilton counties.

“I joined CASA for the Cross Timbers Area as a board member to hopefully make an impact in a critical and meaningful space within our community,” Schindler said.

CASA volunteers are trained and appointed by judges to advocate for a child or sibling group in foster care.

They advocate for the child in court and school and get to know everyone involved in the child’s life; their parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors and family members.

CASA volunteers advocate for children to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible.

When reunification is not an option, they may advocate for the child to live with another relative or family friend or be placed in an adoptive home.

In all cases, CASA volunteers provide a steadfast, consistent presence for the children they serve.

Click here to learn how you can become a CASA volunteer.