2025 Advocate Awards

Celebrating the Heart of CASA:

Our 2025 Advocate Awards 

Every year, our Advocate Awards are a chance to pause and reflect on the incredible people who make CASA’s mission possible. These are the people who step into complex, often heartbreaking situations—and bring hope. They don’t do it for applause, but for the children and youth who deserve to have someone in their corner. 


This year’s honorees reminded us that advocacy is both an act of courage and an act of love. Their stories are as inspiring as they are unique, and we’re honored to share them with you. 

🏆 Advocate(s) of the Year – Catherine & Madison Smith 

Advocacy is often deeply personal work, but Catherine and Madison Smith have made it a family affair. This mother-daughter team brings twice the energy, twice the compassion, and twice the dedication to the children they serve. 


They’ve navigated complex cases with grace, sharing the workload while offering children the unique comfort of having both a steady, maternal figure and a relatable, younger advocate in their corner. Their teamwork is seamless—when one can’t be there, the other steps in. The result is that the children they serve never feel alone. Catherine and Madison’s bond is a living example of CASA’s belief that relationships change outcomes. Together, they are proof that advocacy can be a family legacy. 

🏆 Rookie of the Year – Daniel Williams 


Starting something new takes bravery. Stepping into the role of a CASA advocate takes bravery and heart. Daniel Williams came into his first year with both, along with a willingness to learn and grow. 


While some new advocates take time to find their footing, Daniel jumped right in—building relationships, showing up for every court date and visit, and ensuring his assigned children felt heard and supported. His calm presence and thoughtful approach have already made an impact, proving that you don’t have to be a veteran to change a life. Daniel’s first year is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see the legacy he builds. 

🏆 Recruiter of the Year – Ruby Wilkins 


Ruby’s story is one of quiet strength meeting relentless dedication. For three years, she has been the steady, compassionate constant in a case involving children placed with their grandparents. Navigating the child welfare system can be daunting, but Ruby walked alongside the grandparents every step of the way—explaining processes, attending ARD meetings, and ensuring educational stability for the kids. But Ruby didn’t stop at serving her own case. She looked around and saw the bigger need—more advocates for more children—and she answered that call too. 


She went on live TV with KSAT 12 to talk about CASA’s mission. She filmed a recruitment video. She brought guests to our Information Sessions. She passed out flyers at her church. At events, she sometimes personally escorted curious attendees to our table to make sure they got the information they needed. 


Ruby doesn’t just advocate for the children on her case—she advocates for all children who still need someone. And she does it without seeking the spotlight. This award is our way of shining it on her, even if she’s too humble to ask for it herself. 

🏆 Judge Sakai Award – Elizabeth McElroy 


The Judge Sakai Award honors an advocate who goes above and beyond in championing the needs of children in foster care, much like Judge Peter Sakai has done in our community for decades. Elizabeth McElroy embodies that standard. 


Known for her meticulous casework and unwavering follow-through, Elizabeth has been the voice for children in complex situations, making sure no detail is overlooked. Her ability to balance compassion with firm advocacy has earned her respect in the courtroom and trust from the children she serves. She’s not afraid to ask hard questions or to push for what’s right, even when it’s inconvenient. In short—Elizabeth is the kind of advocate every child deserves. 

🏆 Advancing the Mission – Stephanie Shokrian 


When Stephanie Shokrian became a CASA in early 2023, she didn’t just sign up for a role—she stepped into a calling. 


One of her earliest cases involved newborn twins, Gideon and Yana. They couldn’t speak for themselves, but Stephanie listened anyway—through every doctor’s visit, every placement meeting, every court hearing. She fought to keep the siblings together, advocated for their medical and emotional needs, and worked hand in hand with caseworkers, attorneys, and the judge to protect their best interests. Her persistence paid off. Gideon and Yana remained together, and today they’re thriving in a loving, adoptive home. 


Stephanie’s advocacy doesn’t stop in the courtroom. She’s been a public voice for CASA—speaking at the Gallery of Hope, helping to commemorate 40 years of CASA’s impact in the community. As part of the event committee and a featured speaker, she played a pivotal role in raising awareness and encouraging giving that night, helping the event raise nearly three-quarters of a million dollars. She’s given TV interviews, appeared in CASA ads, and even received the Morgan’s Wonderland Heart of Gold award for her compassion and impact on children with special needs. And every time she’s recognized, she uses it as a chance to spotlight CASA. 


Stephanie is the kind of volunteer who says “yes” when help is needed, whether that means gathering auction items or standing on a stage in front of hundreds. She’s advancing the mission every single day.

💙 More Than Awards💙


The Advocate Awards aren’t just a celebration—they’re a collection of stories. Stories of people who stand up when others step back. Stories of persistence when the system feels impossible. Stories of love expressed through action. 


This year’s honorees remind us that advocacy is not about titles—it’s about the lives changed along the way. 


To our winners, and to every CASA advocate: thank you. You are the heartbeat of this mission, and you are proof that one person can make a difference. 

Community Partnership Spotlight: Stronger Together for Children and Youth - Jogs with Jesus

By bfines • March 23, 2026
At CASA, our goal is to serve 100% of the children and families in need experiencing foster care and strong community partnerships help make that possible.

Story of Hope: Staff Advocate JoAnn

By bfines • March 9, 2026
In March 2025, Child Protective Services removed four young children, just 7, 4, 2, and 3 months old, from their mother’s care. This difficult step followed ongoing concerns about neglect, largely connected to the mother’s struggle with substance use, even during her most recent pregnancy. Although CPS offered support through Family Based Safety Services, the mother was unable to engage in the help provided. The children’s father was also unable to support them due to his own substance abuse and his incarceration in Bexar County Jail. Before removal, the children’s basic medical and educational needs were going unmet. They had been moved repeatedly between their mother and other relatives, leaving them without the stability, routine, and nurturing supervision every child deserves.  When CASA Staff Advocate, JoAnn Herring, was assigned the case in April 2025, she immediately reached out to both kinship caregivers to understand the children’s needs and how to best support the families stepping in to care for them. JoAnn quickly learned that the paternal grandmother, who lovingly took in some of the children, was struggling financially and facing barriers due to limited English proficiency. To ensure she wasn’t facing these challenges alone, JoAnn submitted a CFE (Collaborative Family Engagement) referral and personally provided translation support so the grandmother could access services with dignity and understanding. Throughout the case, JoAnn has witnessed moments where cultural sensitivity was lacking, and personal biases influenced important decisions; often at the expense of what was best for the children. Despite these obstacles, she continues to advocate steadfastly and compassionately for the children to remain with the kinship caregivers who have opened their homes and hearts to provide safety, consistency, and love. Although the case is not yet over, Joann’s story demonstrates that CASA’s advocacy reaches beyond the children themselves, strengthening the village of care and support surrounding them, because CASA wants children to be safe, to thrive, and to have their overall well-being protected.
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