May Advocate Spotlight

Cynthia DeLeon

Advocate: Joseph Zlotkowski

1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?

I have been an advocate for 2 years (February 2023) and I am now on my second case. I realized I wanted to become an advocate because my daughter was in College at the time and that is where she learned about CASA and is the one who encouraged me to become a Volunteer. She believed that I would be great at it, and it’s been one of the most rewarding things that I have done!


2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an advocate?

Being able to build a trusting relationship and a voice for the children and their families. Seeing a child grow and succeed.


3. If you could offer some words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?

I have learned that every small action has an impact in these lives, whether it be a simple call just to check in on how they are doing or just a text to say I hope you are having a great day, building a relationship with someone who is feeling lost or scared because their lives have been changed. Your compassion, and voice may be the lifeline the child and their family needs to be seen, heard or valued. Being able to listen patiently and understanding in our role as an advocate is always what is best for the children, which sometimes differ from what adults around them, or family members may want. Stay child-centered in every decision and recommendation.

By bfines August 14, 2025
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.
By bfines August 14, 2025
Joshua Antwon Merrills
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