February Inspirations
CASA Couple Advocates
Advocate Together
Perspectives from CASA Couple Advocates
February is a month filled with love! Dates we will go on, cards we will send, gifts we will shower our loved with!
But an often-overlooked activity that is rewarding and couples can do together: Volunteering. In particular Volunteering with CASA. (Click here for next information session)
Volunteering as an individual CASA Advocate is amazing! Couples who share this experience are rewarded in so many ways! CASA Advocate Volunteers provide hope for children who have been placed in foster care due to child abuse and/or neglect. CASA couples provide not only an extra advocate on a case, but the ability for the child to see two adults working well together, for their best interest. Some of our CASA kids long for the acceptance of an adult in their life, and our couples give them two! CASA currently has 33 couples advocating for these children. 33 couples who split the responsibilities on their case or perhaps support each other while taking on their own case, giving them the ability to double the number of kids they serve. Together they have been able to serve a total of 202 kids since their tenure at CASA.Several of our CASA Advocates couples wanted to share their experiences with you!
Pedro & Laura Hero have with CASA for a little over 5 years. “We can't imagine how difficult it would have been not to be able to share the journey with one another during this pandemic,”
Hero states. Pedro and his wife Laura Hero.
"There is no better way to feel more connected to your spouse than volunteering and providing hope for a child in foster care, together as a team. “We were surprised and filled with joy by the positive feelings and connections that comes from helping children find permanency in a loving and safe home. It is immeasurable. When something positive happens with one of our CASA kids, we both celebrate.”
Chris & Chet Malin have been CASA Advocates for over 2 years.
“We were able to provide both male and female oversight and interaction to the three boys and one girl (ages 7-9). This promoted safety and a higher level of control when attending SeaWorld, the movies, or gender specific events like the Auto-show, a Missions game, or a performance of the ballet “Cinderella. Being on the same case has improved our ability to communicate and compromise (when necessary) to achieve a common goal. We figured out early in the case which of us was best qualified to tackle specific tasks and thus avoid duplicated effort.”
Andrica and Rogers Dickerson have been CASA Advocates for about 3 years. Their favorite part about advocating together is that it “gives us quality time where we can bring happiness and joy to others. We are not discussing work or personal issues, but how we can provide our CASA kids' best service. Advocating as a couple has strengthened our relationship because we see our partner's care and compassion for others. Selflessness, acting without profit or benefit, helps us connect with others, and this feeling carries over to our relationship. The pandemic is emotionally and physically a trying time. We are not connecting with our CASA kids the traditional face-to-face way but virtually through video calls, more text messages and the occasional porch drop-offs. Most importantly we are doing it together.”
We thank all the couples at CASA who help make a difference every day. If you or your spouse/partner are interested in advocating together or maybe you are an advocate who has been trying to convince their spouse/partner, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment and Training department. With two, it is easier to navigate the complexities, the unfamiliar, and the situations where both advocates are out of their comfort zones.
CASA wishes each of our advocates and community a Happy Valentine’s Day and remember, “two sets of eyes and hands are better than one.”
In April 2023, Child Protective Services received a referral reporting that two sisters, ages 15 and 16, were being held at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center following a family altercation. Mother informed the department that she did not have a place for the girls to be released, and they were subsequently placed in an emergency shelter. Mother was asked if she would attend the court hearing and stated that she would not. Although both sisters were released to Mother from the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, Mother refused to pick them up. There were no relatives or family friends willing to provide placement for the girls, and Mother stated that she wanted to voluntarily sign over her parental rights. Stephanie was assigned as the CASA Staff Advocate in May 2025. By this time, both sisters had experienced multiple placements. The older sister was 18 years old, enrolled in College Docket, and preparing to graduate from high school. The younger sister was 17 years old and residing at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center. Although the sisters were on different paths, they remained emotionally connected and struggled with maintaining contact due to their circumstances. CASA attended the older sister’s high school graduation and the graduation celebration that followed. CASA assisted her with completing all required paperwork and testing necessary for college enrollment. Additionally, CASA supported her in moving into her first apartment, helping her get settled and navigate the challenges of early adulthood. While the younger sister was residing at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, CASA met with her shortly after assignment and introduced herself. The younger sister was later transferred to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). CASA continued to maintain contact despite challenges related to TJJD policies and procedures. CASA established a positive and consistent point of contact, worked to understand TJJD visitation processes, gathered relevant information, maintained communication with the youth, and actively worked to schedule sibling visitation. CASA has remained a consistent and reliable support system for the older sister as she transitions into adulthood. The youth frequently contacts CASA for guidance and assistance with everyday questions, and CASA continues to provide support. The older sister is currently passing all of her college courses, earning straight A’s, and is actively seeking employment. For the younger sister, CASA remains in close communication with TJJD case managers. CASA provides ongoing support through in-person visits every three months and monthly video calls. CASA is also gathering clothing, legal documentation, and preparing a comprehensive resource packet to support the younger sister upon her release. Through every challenge this case brings, Stephanie will stand beside these sisters, offering unwavering support and encouragement as they discover their strength and reach their full potential.
Joy Varner
