Advocate Spotlight: Brandy Alexander
December Advocate Spotlight
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I was sworn in as an advocate and assigned my first case in April 2020.I had heard of the CASA organization many times – college, advertisement at my work place and flyers/commercials. I knew in my heart that I wanted to do it, but I would always think twice if I had the time to dedicate to it. When I started working from home earlier this year and heard of the great need for advocates with the pandemic, I decided it was time to jump in and do my part.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
The most rewarding part of advocacy for me, is seeing positive changes for the kiddos, no matter how big or small. I recently hosted a ZOOM call with their siblings and grandmother living in another city, and seeing the joy on the kids’ faces the entire call was wonderful. Now that CASA is allowing in-person visitation, I have also been loving that time to get to know their personalities and interests even more. While they have been through trying times, the kids are so resilient and that drives me to continue fighting for their best interests.
3. If you could offer some words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
Think every day, what you can be doing to advocate for your kids, and then make a real plan to do those things. Holding a full time job, I found it difficult at first to weave CASA advocacy into my every day life. As I started setting aside lunch breaks and evenings and getting my support systems in place, it became easier to keep on track and make progress. Also, don’t get discouraged! There are going to be tough days where you are feeling stuck in addition to the happy ones. If you need to have a good cry or just take a couple days to process everything, that is okay. We have to take care of ourselves to in turn advocate for our kids. Lastly, don’t forget your CASA supervisor is there for you! He/she is always there to provide direction and 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
