Advocate Spotlight: Simeon & Laura Sutton
June Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
We became advocates in February, 2019. We experienced some things in our extended family that made us re-evaluate how we were spending our time. As we considered our values, there was no question that CASA was the right organization for our volunteer commitment. Simeon filled out the volunteer application the same night he discovered CASA.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
We experienced the power and love of CASA while supporting our CASA children during their moments of pain and fear. We supported them when they cried at the end of parent visit, we supported them when they were transported to a shelter, we supported them when they were alone at the shelter, and we supported them when they lashed out hitting and screaming. It has been our highest calling and most fulfilling life moments to advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable children in our community.
As a result of our advocacy, our children avoided placement in another shelter, and were instead placed with their grandmother who loves and cares for them. Our case had a happy ending with reunification with the children’s family.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
CASA is a first class operation. Their relationship with the Court and the larger community is stellar, so know that you are joining a highly respected organization in the city.
Being new to the world of social work and foster care, the CASA training was overwhelming – but excellent preparation for our role as advocates. The support from our advocate supervisor was above and beyond our expectations. Our supervisor was on call to offer support and advice. Know that your supervisor is there to support you and that you are not alone.
It also helped making friends in the CASA training class. You will need people to lean on during the cases. It created a community of support.
In December 2024, CPS received a referral reporting that Demitri and Maria were living under a bridge along with their three children, Santiago, Mary, and Jose. The Department sought removal of the siblings due to numerous concerns including substance use by all members of the family unit, unsanitary living conditions, malnourishment, and other safety risks. It was later discovered that the children had a significant gap in their education and medical care, and that the two oldest children had juvenile justice involvement. The parents also had an extensive history with CPS. A few months after removal, CASA Advocates, Alejandro Trevino and Lauren Wise, were appointed to the case, quickly becoming a consistent and trusted presence in the lives of the Santiago (16), Mary (15), and Jose (13). During their first meeting, the siblings expressed a deep desire to stay together and eventually reunite with their parents, emphasizing that they had always been together as a family. Unfortunately, shortly after that initial encounter, Santiago and Mary were placed in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) located hours away from Jose. Multiple placement changes followed, creating ongoing instability that further complicated their healing process. From the beginning, the CASA Advocates have worked tirelessly to ensure that the children’s services remain uninterrupted despite the frequent transitions. They continue to collaborate with CPS, the children’s attorney ad litem, and various placements to ensure the siblings’ voices are heard and their best interests prioritized. Alejandro and Lauren attend every staffing, court hearing, service plan meeting, and Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) meeting while always advocating for stability, connection, and permanency. Understanding the critical importance of sibling relationships, the advocates made it their mission to preserve the children’s bond. They arranged for regular sibling contact, both virtually and in-person, overcoming logistical challenges caused by distance and restrictive placement protocols. At one point, Alejandro and Lauren personally facilitated a sibling visit, traveling a total of 638 miles to ensure the children could spend the time together. It was a powerful act of care, giving the siblings a moment of normalcy and joy in an otherwise turbulent time. For nearly the entirety of the case, the children have been separated from one another and far from their hometown. In the face of prolonged separation, instability, and emotional distress, Alejandro and Lauren’s efforts have played a key role in preserving the siblings’ emotional connection and sense of family. Because of their unwavering commitment, the siblings are now living in the same city again and are showing improvement in their academics and health. While the future remains uncertain and family reunification is still unclear, the advocates continue to hold hope that the siblings can at least be reunited with one another and return to San Antonio. This story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of tremendous challenges, the love between siblings and the dedication of caring advocates can foster hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future.
Deborah Hom
