Advocate Spotlight: James Jones
September 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 March 2019. I retired from the San Antonio Police Department last year, and wanted to find a way to give back to my community. I had been aware of CASA for a few years and decided to look deeper into its mission and goals. After some research and inquiries, I decided this would be such a great way to give back. And what better way to give back to my community than to help children?
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
Since I was retired, I talked CASA into giving me an additional case, which brought my number of CASA kids up to nine. For me, the rewards come from the relationships with my CASA kids. It hasn't been easy at times. Depending on the situation and the reasons for their removal from their home, it can take some time to gain their trust and for them to realize you're on their side. And once that happens, it's such a great feeling. They begin to open up to you, share with you (about things both good and bad), and allow you into their world and their hearts. And the first time they give you a hug is just awesome.
There are so many rewards to being an Advocate. But knowing you are making a difference in a child's life is indescribable.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
I think I would tell incoming Advocates that they will be filling a huge void for these kids, and to realize that these kids' lives probably haven't been all sunshine and roses. All you can do is to be there for them. You are their voice... their true advocate.
And I guess I'd encourage all Advocates, both incoming and veterans, to not give up. Some of the kids have put up a huge wall and won't let anyone in. I have one like that. But I wasn't going to give up on him. And then one day, he let me in. And it's been so great ever since! As tough and frustrating as it can be, we all just have to keep trying... and, besides, that's all anyone can ask.
Emily Benedict: Championing College Dreams for Youth in Care Emily Benedict has always believed deeply in the power of higher education and has a passion for making college access a reality—especially for youth in foster care. When she expressed interest in taking on a second CASA case, she was clear about her goal: she wanted to work with a youth on the college docket, helping them navigate the complex path toward applying to and enrolling in college. In August of last year, Emily was matched with a 16-year-old youth living at Connections in New Braunfels. The teen had spent several years in care, with her parents’ rights terminated and a previous kinship placement having broken down. Though she had two siblings, she was no longer in contact with them. From their first meeting, a strong connection grew between Emily and her youth—especially during a Clifton Strengths event hosted at CASA. As the school year kicked off, Emily quickly stepped in to advocate for her youth’s education. She connected with school counselors, began tracking her youth’s grades and attendance, and stepped up when she learned the teen was failing two classes due to a lack of access to technology. Emily secured a Chromebook and printer through CASA, ensuring her youth had the tools to succeed. With weekly check-ins, academic encouragement, and consistent support, her youth turned things around—eventually getting back on track to graduate a year early . Knowing college was the goal, Emily helped prepare her youth for the journey ahead. She shared opportunities for SAT prep, researched application deadlines, supported her through the FAFSA process, and made sure every college application was submitted on time. She also enrolled her in the PAL program, arranged campus tours, and even ensured she had the required immunizations for enrollment. Emily didn’t stop there—she helped her youth open a bank account and advocated tirelessly with the caseworker to get her into a driver’s ed program. Throughout the year, Emily also supported her youth emotionally. She helped her process complex feelings about being separated from her siblings and successfully facilitated a visit—opening the door to renewed phone and virtual contact. Just weeks before graduation, the youth’s placement at her residential facility fell through, and she began couch-surfing with friends. Emily didn’t miss a beat. She stayed in close contact with the youth’s support team—including her caseworker, attorney, and college docket facilitators—keeping everyone updated and focused on solutions. She explored housing options, called multiple facilities, and even reached out to colleges to see if the teen could move into a dorm early. Though dorms were restricted to 18+, Emily remained determined. She arranged a meeting between the teen and Judge Montemayor, who encouraged her to finish her final week of school and graduate—assuring her of continued support while placement was pending. Soon after, Emily discovered Lifeworks in Austin, a program offering housing, counseling, education, and workforce support. She helped secure a spot, drove her youth around town to collect belongings, and personally transported her on move-in day—returning the next day to check in. Emily proudly attended the teen’s graduation at the end of May. She is now helping her enroll in an online course for the fall semester, giving her a head start on college before she turns 18 in November and transitions into a Supervised Independent Living (SIL) dorm. Through every setback and success, Emily has remained a steady, empowering force—amplifying her youth’s voice, championing her goals, and proving the life-changing impact of one dedicated CASA volunteer.
Sherri Lee Boos
