Kappa Alpha Theta - Southern Methodist University

National Philanthropy

In 1989, Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity adopted National CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, as the fraternity’s official philanthropy. CASA volunteers are trained community volunteers who speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in the court system. Advocates provide valuable information to the judges as to what is best for the child and also help expedite the legal process so these children will still have a chance at childhood.

The Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation plays a critical role in this partnership. Through generous donations from members, the Foundation supports National CASA with a sixty thousand dollar biennial grant to underwrite their toll free phone number, educational materials and displays for volunteers, and the Kappa Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year program. To date, the Foundation has donated over seven hundred sixty-nine thousand dollars to CASA. Gifts from generous individuals, college chapters, and alumnae chapters enable the Foundation to support this worthwhile cause.

The CASA program consists of 930 local programs and 46 state organizations. In 2002, 70,130 CASA volunteers served an estimated 279,160 children.

CASA programs can help a displaced child find the security needed to grow and reach full potential. It's been shown that:

Children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in court and less time in foster care than those who do not have CASA representation.
CASA advocated children have better chances of finding permanent homes.
CASA cases are more likely to be reviewed on a regular basis by the court.

Three Philanthropy events!

Kappa Alpha Theta holds 3 major philanthropy events per year. "Theta Dodgeball", our annual 5K run "Kats Making Tracks" and "Tricks or Treats with the Thetas." All proceeds from Theta's events are donated to our local philanthropy, Dallas CASA

Theta Dodgeball

Theta Dodgeball was held in April 2008. This past year was the most successful event we have had yet. There were 19 mens' teams and 8 women teams. Teams consisted of Greek teams, sports teams and even groups of friends. Theta Dodgeball was a huge success and we were able to raise over $13,000!!!

Theta 5-K

Our 4th annual 5K will be held on September 25th 2010! We have done it the past three years, and with each year we raise increasingly more money for CASA. This year we are teaming up with the SMU Athletic Department to make this event an even bigger hit!. To register to participate in the 5K go to www.getmeregistered.com and type in the search box on the upper left hand side of the page "Theta 5K." Once you click on the event, it will instruct you on how to sign up from there.

Tricks or Treats

Tricks or Treats with the Thetas, a meet and greet event, was held on October 30th. There was a great attendance with about 100 SMU Thetas and over 140 non Greek attendees. We were able to raise over $1,200 for CASA.