September Advocate Spotlight

September Advocate Spotlight: Lena Sierocinski


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


I’ve been an advocate since January 2022. I’ve always loved volunteering and finding ways to support my community—whether through fostering puppies with SAPA or helping at the San Antonio Food Bank. But the moment I realized I wanted to become an advocate was actually pretty unexpected. My work with the Food Bank was rewarding, but after some internal changes it became more challenging to stay motivated.

One day, like most Gen Zs, I was scrolling through Instagram and came across a post from a former Bachelor contestant talking about how their mother had been a CASA for years. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, that’s such a meaningful and deeply involved way to change lives.’ That small moment stuck with me, and I reached out to learn more. Once I understood the impact and purpose of the program, I knew immediately that it was exactly the kind of work I wanted to be part of.”


What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?


The most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate is having the opportunity to show my kiddos what love, stability, and true advocacy look like. Being able to consistently show up for them, listen to them, and champion them through challenging moments means so much. And when they reach that point where they recognize that they’re stuck with me in their corner and know I genuinely have their backs, it’s unlike anything else. That trust is incredibly meaningful, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I continue doing this work.


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


If I could offer some encouragement to fellow and incoming advocates, it would be this: advocacy is meant to be hard. If it feels tough, complicated, or uncomfortable at times, that usually means you’re doing it right. Our job isn’t to sit quietly in the background – it’s to ask the hard questions, especially when something doesn’t feel right. And those questions aren’t limited to one part of a case; they’re for everyone involved, including DFPS caseworkers.


I’ve had two occasions where I had to lean in and say, “No, this is really wrong and needs to be looked at. Once you can promise my kids’ safety, I’ll back off.” It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t fun, but it was necessary. Be willing to push, even when it makes you the “bad guy” in the moment, is often exactly what keeps a child safe.



So trust your instincts, be brave enough to speak up, and remember: the discomfort you feel is nothing compared to the impact your voice can have on a child’s life.

A Story of Hope: Advocate Karney Stefan

August 24, 2026
Although Karney Stefan officially became a CASA Advocate in February of this year, her journey toward advocacy began many years earlier. While serving as the Executive Director of a foster care agency in Southern California for three and a half years, she witnessed firsthand the profound difference a dedicated advocate

Meet Our Staff Advocates!

June 17, 2026
Pictured, left to right, JoAnn, Yvonne, Lorena, Mackenzie, Michelle, Stephanie, and Dan At CASA, our vision is to serve every child in foster care with a dedicated advocate. While an incredible volunteer serves most children, our new team of Staff Advocates helps expand our capacity to serve children with extremely challenging cases. Staff Advocates help fill critical gaps by taking on cases that often require more intensive coordination and support. These may include larger sibling groups, children with multiple placements, cases connected to specialty courts, or youth placed outside of Bexar County, sometimes even in other cities or states. By supporting these more complex situations, Staff Advocates ensure that children still receive consistent advocacy and attention when additional time or specialized support is needed. Our team includes six Staff Advocates and one Team Lead, all trained employees who work directly with children and families involved in the child welfare system. Thanks to funding from Bexar County and the John R. & Greli N. Less Charitable Trust , the Staff Advocate program has served 126 children in the past year who might not otherwise have had CASA’s brand of consistent, caring advocacy. We are also delighted to announce funding from National CASA/GAL Association to partially support the program in the coming year. In addition to their casework, our Staff Advocates support the Recruitment Department by helping raise awareness about advocacy opportunities in the community. Because they work directly with children and the court system, they bring valuable, real-life insight into what advocacy truly looks like. Staff Advocates have joined the recruitment team at several community events, including Coffee Shop Info Sessions, Comic Con, Faith-based markets, and National Night Out. At these events, they answer questions, share their experiences, and help potential volunteers better understand what it means to advocate for a child in foster care. They bring a firsthand perspective full of authenticity and impact for those considering becoming CASA volunteers. Impact in the Community During our past fiscal year starting July 2025, our Staff Advocates have served 126 children, including 23 children who were placed outside of Bexar County. Since its inception in January 2025, the team’s work has contributed to several meaningful outcomes for children and youth, including: 6 successful reunifications with parents , impacting 16 children 2 adoptions , providing permanent homes for 4 children 2 permanency placements for long-term care , supporting 4 children 1 successful transition into adulthood , where a young person is now attending college, employed, and living independently in her own apartment 6 college-bound students supported These outcomes reflect the dedication and commitment our Staff Advocates bring to every case they serve. Thank you, Staff Advocate Team! If you are interested in learning more about becoming a CASA advocate or attending an upcoming information session, we invite you to connect with our Recruitment Team and discover how you can make a difference in a child’s life.
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