by Ashika Sethi
The Beta Psi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha has been supporting children in the Austin community and collaborating with CASA of Travis County for more than twelve years. From Easter Egg hunts to college recruitment seminars, Alpha Kappa Alpha has organized and sponsored a plethora of activities and opportunities for children in Travis County to learn and grow.
To celebrate twelve years of working together, we talked to AKA members Reshanta Stewart and De’Ana Walls about the organization’s fantastic relationship with CASA and their dedication to helping children in Austin.
When asked why CASA has been an organization that AKA collaborates with year after year, Stewart says it’s the ability to engage with the children, and see the effects of CASA’s efforts firsthand.
“It’s the kids. It’s all about the kids,” says Reshanta. “I am a first grade teacher in Austin and some of the children I teach have CASA volunteers…The people who work at CASA have always been so energetic and collaborative also.”
For De’Ana Walls, a member of the Beta Psi Omega chapter since 2012, the opportunity to serve an underprivileged portion of the population is what makes CASA a standout organization.
“Professionally, I serve as an advocate for underserved individuals,” says De’Ana. “Volunteering for CASA has given me another avenue to impact the lives of children in need.”
As for events that have stood out, De’Ana says she looks forward to CASAblanca every year.
“I’m really a laid-back kind of girl, but CASAblanca gives me the opportunity to get glammed up for a great cause,” says De’Ana.
It’s AKA’s willingness to serve and their hands-on approach to helping kids in the foster care system that continuously inspires us at CASA to keep working with them as well.
As one of our former staff members, Sonia Kotecha, used to say, “CASA loves AKA!”
To which, the women at Alpha Kappa Alpha would respond, “AKA loves CASA!”
We’d like to thank AKA for all their wonderful work and look forward to collaborating on future projects to serve children in our community.
CASA Partners February 2017
