CASA's Recruiter of the Year
Meet Advocate Steven Beaumont
An Interview by CASA Staff
How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I've been a CASA for 2 years and 4 months and I'm currently on my 4th case. I decided to become a CASA Advocate after I stopped by the CASA office to ask if my family could donate gifts for the foster kids for Christmas. During my visit at the office, I spoke with a CASA rep and he informed me of the shocking numbers of child abuse cases in San Antonio and the need for volunteers to help these kids. I knew then that I wanted to be a CASA to help the children and their families.What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
Gaining a child's trust. Some of these children have been through so much. They are normally weary of new people but through much time, care, and genuine compassion, you can break down those walls and actually reach a child. That's the most rewarding part.
If you could offer some words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
"To my fellow CASAs, keep up the great work and I'm proud to be a part of this amazing organization helping kids and families. To incoming Advocates, congrats on becoming a CASA. Just be yourself when dealing with the kids, be diligent with your court reports and always, when in doubt, contact your supervisor. My supervisor made me add that last part." Steve jokefully said.
Brenna Albracht began her journey as a CASA advocate in October 2020. In the fall of 2021, she signed onto her second case—a case that would change both her life and the life of a young boy named Anton. Anton and his two siblings had been involved in a long CPS legal case that began in September 2018 and concluded in June 2020. His siblings were placed in the conservatorship of their paternal grandparents, while their parents retained possessory rights. However, the grandparents did not want Anton. His parents’ rights were ultimately terminated in the hope that the Department could find him a forever home. Anton was sent to a foster home in Houston, Texas. By 2020, Anton had lost nearly everything—his mom, his dad, his siblings, his grandparents, and his hometown. Initially, Brenna had planned to resign from CASA after completing her first case, as she was relocating to Houston for school. But when she learned about Anton and that he was in Houston, she made a decision that would change his life: she stayed with CASA and signed onto his case. For the next four years, Anton remained in that same foster home. While his basic needs were met, the foster family was not interested in adopting him. Brenna, however, never wavered. She visited Anton every month, checked in with his therapists to ensure he could process his trauma, connected with his teachers to support his education, and persistently reminded CPS that this little boy needed a forever home. She stayed in close contact with his attorney and advocated for him in court. From 2021 to 2025, Brenna made sure Anton was never forgotten. In 2023, Anton’s siblings re-entered care due to neglect and abuse by their grandparents. CPS offered his parents a second chance to make positive changes—and this time, Mom successfully reunited with her daughters. Seeing this, Brenna recognized an opportunity for Anton: not only could he find a forever home, but he could also be reunited with his family. Through Brenna’s tireless advocacy, Anton was finally able to return to his hometown of San Antonio in 2024 and, several months later, was placed back with his mom and sisters. In June 2025, CPS petitioned the court to reinstate his mother’s parental rights, and Anton was finally a whole family again. Because of Brenna’s dedication, Anton got back his mom, his sisters, and his hometown—a true testament to the power of consistent advocacy.
Joshua Antwon Merrills
