H-E-B Partners Support CASA
H-E-B Partners step up to support San Antonio Community with Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA)
Renowned for its deep-rooted support for the San Antonio community, H-E-B is one of our city’s biggest donors and supporters of families in need. Throughout our community, H-E-B Partners have excelled in their commitment to give back during these unprecedented times - including as CASA Volunteers! Thank You!
CASA Advocates are community volunteers who are assigned to a child (or children) recently removed from their family, due to abuse or neglect, and placed into the foster care system. The CASA Advocate acts as the one constant in that child’s life until they are placed within a permanent family home.
After one month of training, and being sworn in by a judge, CASA Advocates begin their role of advocating for that child. They watchfully ensure that the child is cared for and does not fall through the cracks of an overburdened system. CASA Advocates make monthly visits to children and build trusting relationships with the child(ren). Volunteers make informed recommendations to the judge regarding the child’s physical and emotional well-being. Their Advocate becomes their constant, and most importantly, they bring hope during a dark and scary time.
Karen Schiffmacher, an H-E-B partner for 23 years, has also been a CASA Advocate for over 2 years. She takes pride in the impact she has made for the 3 children on her case, most recently helping her CASA child get accepted into the city’s new college initiative program. “H-E-B has been extremely flexible in allowing me the time I need to attend court dates, meet with other support members, and even pick up the children from school on occasion.” says Karen. “H-E-B also has asked what they can do to help and what items they can provide to my CASA children and their foster homes. They are pretty amazing!”
Karen encourages other H-E-B Partners to become CASA Advocates. “It is a great way to give back, but also to influence, and change a child’s life! We are not only advocates, but also role models for these children. When we advocate, through our own experiences, we allow the children to see there is more to life, and we can connect them to resources to figure out their future path and achieve all of their dreams.”
We love that H-E-B and their Partners have been inspiring supporters of CASA, and we encourage others to consider becoming a CASA Advocate. The only thing required of you is your time. This opportunity not only gives back to the children you work with but will also impact your own life forever. Learn how you can get involved by joining an upcoming information session or training class. For more information, visit www.casa-satx.org or call (210) 225-7070.
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
