Over nearly three decades as a Dallas CASA volunteer advocate for children in foster care, Larry Dolan has supported more than 160 children.
Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) recently recognized Dolan, the organization’s longest-serving volunteer advocate, with the 2026 Jan and Judge Barefoot Sanders Champion of Children Award. This year’s Oct. 15 event was co-chaired by Lael and Peter Brodsky and Cynt and Kenneth Marshall.
“As a Dallas CASA volunteer advocate, I’ve learned that children in foster care don’t need someone who has all the answers. They don’t need someone who can fix every problem. What they need is someone who cares to keep showing up to ensure they are safe from harm,” Lael Brodsky said.
Dallas CASA presents the award annually to community leaders who’ve improved the lives of youth, particularly those who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, or other adversities.
“For the last five or six years, we’ve covered 100% of all requests made by a judge: I want a CASA on my case,” Dolan said. “We need to, we want to continue that. We need your help. We need your help in participating, supporting.”
Dallas CASA CEO Kathleen LaValle praised Dolan as the “model of a reliable adult.”
“I think of Larry as our standard bearer for the mission of Dallas CASA and what I mean by that is so many of our children are deeply disappointed and have been profoundly let down by individuals who should have been their fiercest, fiercest protectors. And then Larry comes in and he is that model of a reliable adult who shows up,” LaValle said.
Following the award presentation to Dolan, LaValle recognized longtime staff members Ben Wilkins, Ron Craig, Ryan Griffin, and Sandra Whorton.
The guest speaker for the evening was Jelani Freeman, an attorney, former foster youth and nationally recognized advocate.
Jelani Freeman, Cynt Marshall, Sky Harrison
PHOTO: Rosanne Lewis
PHOTOS: Tamytha Cameron Photography, Rosanne Lewis, Danny Campbell Photography and Douglas Brown
Author
