The mission of CASA for the Highland Lakes Areais to recruit, train and supervise volunteers appointed by the court as Guardian ad Litem to advocate for children who enter the court system as a result of abuse and neglect. These volunteers make recommendations to the court based on fact-finding and investigation, in the best interest of the child.

Alpha Chi has made a financial contribution to CASA for the last several years. Alpha Chi members are also directly involved with the program.

The Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center serves Blanco, Burnet, Llano, and Lampasas Counties with a safe, wheelchair-accessible shelter for families, especially women and their children, when home is not a safe place to be. Its mission is to provide

• safe shelter and services to victims of family violence and sexual assault;
• outreach services, information and referral to others in crisis; and
• community education on Family Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness.

Many women and children leave home with nothing. Alpha Chi brings requested items to our regular meetings to be delivered to the shelter or to the Good Neighbor Thrift Shop. These include school supplies, clothing and personal items for both women and children, birthday and Christmas presents for children, and unperishable items and supplies for the shelter.

The Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting child victims of abuse and assisting law enforcement and Child Protective Services in the investigation of child abuse cases. The services to the child include a videotaped interview of the child's statement, thus eliminating the need for numerous interviews by the various agencies within the legal system. They provide medical examinations of the child when necessary, crisis counseling, and long-term counseling for the child, his/her siblings and the non-offending parent. All services are free of charge.

Alpha Chi members bring requested items to our regular meeting to be delivered to the program, which include CDs for recording interviews and cuddly toys.