July Advocate Spotlight
Constance Kirk
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I’ve been an Advocate for 3 1/2 years. I was encouraged by some friends who were Advocates to become a CASA after my 3 children left home for college. I realized I missed being around children and wanted to assist those most in need of attention.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
The most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate is seeing a child’s eyes light up when you visit, and knowing you’ve made their day a little brighter. And, of course, at the end of a case it is especially rewarding if reunification occurs, and the children are thrilled to be back in their parents’ home. It’s a good feeling to know that CASA has helped that family through a very difficult time.
3. If you could offer some words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
Remember that you may be the person who makes a difference in the lives of children who are going through an extremely stressful, confusing experience. Your attention to details may help a child get medical or psychological care that he needs, or even a tablet to allow him to participate in online classes. Try to take it a week at a time, and, at the end of the case you will know that you did all that you could for those children and, hopefully, helped pave the way to a brighter future for them.
In March 2025, Child Protective Services removed four young children, just 7, 4, 2, and 3 months old, from their mother’s care. This difficult step followed ongoing concerns about neglect, largely connected to the mother’s struggle with substance use, even during her most recent pregnancy. Although CPS offered support through Family Based Safety Services, the mother was unable to engage in the help provided. The children’s father was also unable to support them due to his own substance abuse and his incarceration in Bexar County Jail. Before removal, the children’s basic medical and educational needs were going unmet. They had been moved repeatedly between their mother and other relatives, leaving them without the stability, routine, and nurturing supervision every child deserves. When CASA Staff Advocate, JoAnn Herring, was assigned the case in April 2025, she immediately reached out to both kinship caregivers to understand the children’s needs and how to best support the families stepping in to care for them. JoAnn quickly learned that the paternal grandmother, who lovingly took in some of the children, was struggling financially and facing barriers due to limited English proficiency. To ensure she wasn’t facing these challenges alone, JoAnn submitted a CFE (Collaborative Family Engagement) referral and personally provided translation support so the grandmother could access services with dignity and understanding. Throughout the case, JoAnn has witnessed moments where cultural sensitivity was lacking, and personal biases influenced important decisions; often at the expense of what was best for the children. Despite these obstacles, she continues to advocate steadfastly and compassionately for the children to remain with the kinship caregivers who have opened their homes and hearts to provide safety, consistency, and love. Although the case is not yet over, Joann’s story demonstrates that CASA’s advocacy reaches beyond the children themselves, strengthening the village of care and support surrounding them, because CASA wants children to be safe, to thrive, and to have their overall well-being protected.
Johnathan Cobb
