Advocate Spotlight: Steven Senia
February Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I was sworn in September 2018. I had not heard of CASA until a friend of mine, Anna Torres (who was running for Judge at the time) mentioned it to me. I was in the process of retiring and she suggested CASA as a great organization and productive way to spend some time after retirement. After taking the new advocate classes, I felt confident I could bring some hope to a few young people’s lives.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
I gravitate towards advocating for male teens. I can relate to them, and I do so mostly through sports and food. I like the idea that I can play several roles in a young man’s life. Not only can advocate for them in court, but I can also be a mentor and a friend. I can encourage them and watch out for them like any good parent would do.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
Find your niche. Which age group are you most likely to relate to best so that you can make the most positive impact? Be their mentor, give them opportunities the placement may not be able to give. Steer them in the direction that’s going to be best for them in the long run. And if you don’t have a niche, ask your CASA supervisor where they need the most help and give it a shot, it might be just what you are looking for.
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
