CASA Representatives to present at Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi

The Men’s Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, set for August 19, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall of the Church on 204 Dooley Street will feature representatives of CASA for Kids of South Central Texas,or Court Appointed Special Advocate®, a non-profit organization.

The breakfast is open to all of men of the community and those attending are asked to call 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

CASA provides valuable volunteer advocacy for every abused child in the Waller County area. CASA volunteers serve as the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children’s lives as they navigate the foster care system.

The CASA community in Texas is made up of 71 local CASA programs with over 9,100 volunteers serving nearly 28,000 foster children in 213 counties. CASA's – Court Appointed Special Advocates – are just like you and me, and are volunteers trained to speak up for these children.

The representatives include Walter Smith, member of the Board of Directors, Ms. Deanna Warmke, Executive Director and Ms. Tracy Sebesta, Advocate Supervisor.

Walter Smith has resided in Prairie View on FM 1488 since 2012. He is a 1975 graduate of Rice University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He is the founder and owner of ArborLeaf Engineering & Surveying, a professional engineering firm in Tomball, and has practiced civil engineering and land surveying both public and private sectors, for 42 years. Walter is the father of 7 children and grandfather of 15, with number 16 due in September. Since November of 2016, he has served on the Board of Directors of CASA for Kids of South Central Texas, and feels strongly that there needs to be a voice for those children who cannot speak for themselves.

The other speaker is Deanna Warmke was born and raised in Bellville. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1996. Deanna serves as the Executive Director of CASA for Kids, beginning that position in April 2016. Helping others has always been in her nature, but being a mom makes this role a real passion – helping make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children who need a voice. She says, “A great joy is the people that you meet along the way. You get to see the true spirit of some amazing people that give their time, money, resources, and most of all, their heart to help these children!”

Deanna now resides in Bleiblerville with her husband and their two children. Her daughter is entering high school and her son is going into 8th grade. They keep her running with sports and show pigs. They also own a collision repair facility which they operate next to their home.

Members of the community are also encouraged to come out and support the Houston FoodBank Kraft Mobile Unit which will be at the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on August 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View. There are no qualifications necessary, and persons may sign up for SNAP, Children’s Medicaid/CHIP and TANF programs. Patrons must be present and signed to receive the food. Patrons are urged to PLEASE bring bags and boxes for the items. For information and future schedules, contact - smtfrancispv@sbcglobal.net or call 936-857-3272.

The community members are also invited to fellowship with us in our Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship service at 11:00 a.m.

PVAMU Alumnus Col. Antoinette Gant named Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District

Col. Antoinette Gant assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, on July 27, 2017, where she provides strategic direction, command and control for the district in execution of civil, military and environmental programs.

A native of Port Gibson, Mississippi, Col. Gant graduated from Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas, as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and a commission in the Engineer Regiment. She holds a Master of Science in engineer management from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri, and a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School, National Defense University, Washington, DC. Col. Gant is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (initiated at Zeta Gamma) and the Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association. Read More