Advocate Spotlight: Chester & Christina Malins
May Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
We completed our orientation and training at the end of September 2018 and accepted our first (and current) case as a team in October 2018: a kinship placement (TMC) involving 4 siblings (7-year old male, 6-year old male and female twins, and a 5-year old male).
After retiring from our careers in 2017 (Chris as a grade school principal and Chet from a military support position following a 31-year military career), we relocated to San Antonio after 22 years in Honolulu, HI. We wanted to find a volunteer opportunity to blend our prior experiences and perspectives that would be rewarding and that could make a tangible difference. We had read articles in the past that highlighted the role and the rewards of being a CASA Advocate. Upon our arrival in San Antonio, various radio ads, promotional interviews, and street banners started a conversation between us that eventually culminated in our mutual commitment to sign up as CASA Advocates. The orientation and training regimen reinforced our conviction that our efforts would be both challenging yet rewarding as we helped make a difference in the lives of children at risk.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
In our short time as Advocates, there have been many rewarding aspects, but two stand out above the rest. The first has been the recognition that our continued presence is important to the children. We are able to provide them direct and personal attention. We are there solely for them and can encourage and reassure them. They have responded to our visits at home and school, various outings, and cards with growing enthusiasm. A significant portion of that trust building has resulted from our involvement in the rest of the kinship family and placement situation which provides for the children’s immediate needs. The second has been the discovery that the CASA Advocate plays a unique and critical role in finding out information, sharing it with the other professionals in the process, and helping them connect the dots in order to provide what is best for the children. Having earned their trust, we advance the well-being of the children by enabling these very busy professionals to do what they do best.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
Since this is our first case, most of what we have learned may be specific to the circumstances and dynamics of this case. Nevertheless, for the new Advocate, we would have two recommendations: First, take the time and invest in learning who are the various players in the process, what are their roles, and personalities. They are all professionals who focus on the well being of the children, but they have neither the time nor perspective to gather and attempt to integrate the diverse information that the CASA Advocate can discover. Don’t stress or grow frustrated with trying to solve all issues on your sense of timing. The Advocate is an intermediary but not the fixer in the process. However, you can be a very valuable member of the team and work to hold the system accountable to provide for the best interests of the children. Second, it might take a while to build the relationship with the children. No two children are alike, but all eventually respond to someone who shows attention, remembers things about them, and helps them have moments that are special and better than what might have been in their past. Find reasons to be a part of events in their lives, see them often, offer them structure and affection, and just let them know you care about them and love them.
A Message from Child Advocates San Antonio on National CASA/GAL Funding Termination On April 24, 2025, the National CASA/GAL Association announced that its federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice has been terminated. As a result, National CASA is suspending subaward disbursements, training programs, and technical assistance. The organization is actively appealing the decision and assessing what services it can continue to provide during this transition. Info from National CASA can be found here. We understand that this announcement may raise concerns in the community, and we want to provide reassurance and clarity regarding how this news affects Child Advocates San Antonio. First and foremost: There is no impact to our organization or our services. We are fully operational and remain committed to serving the children and families in our community with the same excellence, integrity, compassion, and commitment we have always shown. Here are key facts we want our supporters and the public to know: Our funding remains secure. Child Advocates San Antonio has a diverse and stable funding base that includes a healthy mix of public and private funding. No one funding stream exceeds 50% of our budget. You can access our recent financials HERE. Our stability comes from strong state support and our dedicated Bexar County community, which keeps Child Advocates San Antonio resilient and focused on serving children. We do not receive subawards from National CASA. The suspension of subaward disbursements has no bearing on our funding or ability to operate. Our training programs continue without interruption. Our comprehensive and high-quality Advocate training programs are fully intact. We do not require technical assistance from National CASA. Our team is experienced, well-resourced, and prepared to continue all programming. No cuts, no hiring freezes, no changes to our operations. We remain fully staffed and actively engaged in our mission to advocate for children in foster care. Our commitment to advocating for children in foster care is unwavering, and our services continue as usual. We want to be clear: Child Advocates San Antonio is strong, stable, and here to stay. CASA programs in Texas are strong, independent, and fully committed to children in foster care. While we’re aware of the situation with National CASA/GAL, it doesn’t impact the critical advocacy happening here. Our commitment is clear: we will stand with the children we serve—until they are safe, their voices are heard, and their futures are secure. Our focus, as always, is on advocating for the best interests of children and ensuring they have a voice in court. Public support at all levels, including individuals, ensures we remain strong, regardless of national developments. No matter what, our mission stays the same – every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and have their voice heard. CASA’s mission is as important as ever— children in foster care need advocates who will stand by them. Start your Advocate Journey today!
Brittany Coppage
