Advocate Spotlight: Terrie MacLaren
December Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I had heard about CASA when I lived in other states and always felt called to do it, but never really explored what it might entail. This year I started volunteering at the Vault, an organization that gives clothing and supplies to new foster parents. Seeing the children who had just been placed into care pulled at my heartstrings, and again, I thought of being a CASA. One day, I worked with a volunteer who had been a CPS caseworker and she convinced me to make the leap. I went through training in June of 2019 and got my first case in August.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
I should probably say the most rewarding aspect of being an advocate is feeling that I am making a positive impact on children's lives no matter how small it is. And that's true. That's the big picture. But honestly, it's the human connection with these little people who have had adults in their lives who have let them down. Now they can count on their team, of which you are one, to gradually begin to repair the physical and emotional holes in their lives. You help them feel safe, cared for, and important. Their little hugs around your neck and high fives when they see you are priceless. Taking them on an outing to the library that might bore some other child, but they act like you've taken them to Disney World. Getting a picture of a Christmas tree instead of some of the other terrifying scenes they have drawn for you with their name next to yours on the bottom when they didn't even know the alphabet six months ago. Watching them gradually heal and becoming a tribe with them and the others dedicated to saving them. I try to imagine my CASA kids twenty years from now and I envision them flourishing because of what we have done for them today.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
I think most of us go into this knowing there will be good days and bad days, but I would encourage new CASAs that the good far outweighs the bad. I wasn't sure that would be the case at first. When I got my case, I listed all the issues for each child along with the steps I thought might solve the problem and how I was going to proceed. That was my former military and healthcare training kicking in. I was in for a rude awakening when I realized that there were so many moving parts (I have four children in my case) and a variety of other professionals who also had opinions and were not interested in me waving my magic wand to solve issues! I'm learning the art of gentle diplomacy, rejoicing in tiny victories when they occur, and accepting it when what I would like to happen doesn't. I would encourage new CASAs to celebrate any baby steps you are able to influence. Keep good notes because those court reports sneak up on you. Find a way to stay organized (I am still working on this!). And log your information in Optima as soon as possible. My husband knows nothing about my case, but he does know the term Optima!
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
