Advocate Spotlight: Cecilia Grainger
April Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I have been a CASA advocate for exactly one year. In college, I had a professor who was a CASA advocate and she would talk about CASA and the impact they have on children in the foster care system. I also heard different stories from Carrie Bond, a friend from church, who was a CASA advocate at the time. However, I was in nursing school and didn’t have enough time to adequately devote to the children in a case. So, when I moved back to San Antonio after I graduated, I started looking into it. At the beginning of 2019, I was set on becoming an advocate. The more I looked into CASA, the more I desired to volunteer and have an impact in the lives of these sweet children, so I decided that it was time! I took classes in April and became an advocate. It has been such a great year! I just finished my first case and I am looking forward to taking on more.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
To me, the most rewarding aspect of being an advocate is knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of children who have been a part of unfortunate circumstances. When my two children from my first case saw me for our visits, they would get so excited, and they were only 1 and 2 years old. It was so fun to just play with them and get to love on them. You know you are doing a good job at being an advocate when one of your kiddos tells you “I love you” and gives you a great big hug at the end of each visit.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
My words of encouragement to my fellow advocates would be this: love your children and make them feel special. No matter their age, they will love you back. You may only be making a difference for one child in your case, but it can be a world of difference to that child. You may be the only thing standing between them and a threatening situation. Also, I was initially worried about taking on a case with younger children because I wondered how difficult it would be to communicate with them. However, on our first visit, we were already the best of buds. Don’t be discouraged by the age of the child or their current circumstances. Instead, get onto their level and there will be no barriers.
Cecilia is also a registered nurse, and we want to give her a very special thank you for being part of the team of health heroes who are diligently serving our community during this time.
A Message from Child Advocates San Antonio on National CASA/GAL Funding Termination On April 24, 2025, the National CASA/GAL Association announced that its federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice has been terminated. As a result, National CASA is suspending subaward disbursements, training programs, and technical assistance. The organization is actively appealing the decision and assessing what services it can continue to provide during this transition. Info from National CASA can be found here. We understand that this announcement may raise concerns in the community, and we want to provide reassurance and clarity regarding how this news affects Child Advocates San Antonio. First and foremost: There is no impact to our organization or our services. We are fully operational and remain committed to serving the children and families in our community with the same excellence, integrity, compassion, and commitment we have always shown. Here are key facts we want our supporters and the public to know: Our funding remains secure. Child Advocates San Antonio has a diverse and stable funding base that includes a healthy mix of public and private funding. No one funding stream exceeds 50% of our budget. You can access our recent financials HERE. Our stability comes from strong state support and our dedicated Bexar County community, which keeps Child Advocates San Antonio resilient and focused on serving children. We do not receive subawards from National CASA. The suspension of subaward disbursements has no bearing on our funding or ability to operate. Our training programs continue without interruption. Our comprehensive and high-quality Advocate training programs are fully intact. We do not require technical assistance from National CASA. Our team is experienced, well-resourced, and prepared to continue all programming. No cuts, no hiring freezes, no changes to our operations. We remain fully staffed and actively engaged in our mission to advocate for children in foster care. Our commitment to advocating for children in foster care is unwavering, and our services continue as usual. We want to be clear: Child Advocates San Antonio is strong, stable, and here to stay. CASA programs in Texas are strong, independent, and fully committed to children in foster care. While we’re aware of the situation with National CASA/GAL, it doesn’t impact the critical advocacy happening here. Our commitment is clear: we will stand with the children we serve—until they are safe, their voices are heard, and their futures are secure. Our focus, as always, is on advocating for the best interests of children and ensuring they have a voice in court. Public support at all levels, including individuals, ensures we remain strong, regardless of national developments. No matter what, our mission stays the same – every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and have their voice heard. CASA’s mission is as important as ever— children in foster care need advocates who will stand by them. Start your Advocate Journey today!
Brittany Coppage
