Story of Hope: Brenda Rodriguez

Brenda Rodriguez has found through a previous case that she has a lot of holistic support to offer young adults in College Docket. After completing her first College docket case, Brenda was requested by College Docket court staff to be assigned to Yari due to Brenda’s demonstration of Educational Advocacy and her strength of being a supportive person who is able to connect with our participants’ entire support network.


Upon assignment to her case, Brenda was aware that the children were frequently tardy or absent from school, setting them behind their peers. Yari was missing many days of school and subsequently was missing many assignments needed to graduate high school on time. Brenda maintained consistent contact with Yari for self-reports on progress and in order to encourage Yari to complete her work. Brenda also connected with Yari’s guidance counselor and teachers to create an education plan to graduate on time and double-check that all assignments were submitted. We were truly down to the wire, and Brenda’s ability to be supportive to the youth and school created an opportunity for Yari to not fall behind her peers.


During this chaotic time, Brenda was also able to push ahead with ordering Yari’s class ring, ordering graduation cap and gown, and scheduling senior portraits with the assistance of College Docket and PEARLS court. Rather than putting the cart before the horse, this further encouraged and solidified to the youth that graduation was possible!

We are happy to say that Yari has graduated from High School and has been accepted into Alamo Colleges to pursue a career in Cosmetology. With the college docket team, Brenda has been at the forefront to ensure Yari has her tuition benefits, supportive housing, and any items needed to furnish her future apartment through the THRU project. So, Yari is prepared for her transition to adulthood and higher education, Brenda has also made diligent efforts to ensure Yari is connected to therapy and community supports.


Brenda’s compassion and advocacy has directly impacted Yari’s current and future successes. Brenda’s compassionate understanding of the need for holistic approaches to higher education and advocacy has directly contributed to Yari’s High School graduation and future in college.

Story of Hope: Staff Advocate JoAnn

By bfines • March 9, 2026
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.

March Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • March 9, 2026
Johnathan Cobb
Show More