Advocate Spotlight: Cynthia Lacey
May Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I have been an Advocate since June of 2019. I realized that I wanted to be an advocate while researching various volunteer options after retirement. I wanted to do something where I felt I could really make a difference, and when I read about CASA, it seemed perfect. What could be more fulfilling than speaking out for a child?
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
It’s hard to choose just one; every aspect of being an advocate is so rewarding! At the top of the list, however, is the knowledge that I’ve helped change a child’s future - and the smile on their faces when they see me…well, it doesn’t get any better than that!
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
There will be frustrations, but don’t give up. There is almost always another way to accomplish your goal. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is work that will fill up your soul, light up your life, and feel so much better than anything else you’ve ever done!
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.
Johnathan Cobb
