Story of Hope: Brenna Albracht

Brenna Albracht began her journey as a CASA advocate in October 2020. In the fall of 2021, she signed onto her second case—a case that would change both her life and the life of a young boy named Anton.

Anton and his two siblings had been involved in a long CPS legal case that began in September 2018 and concluded in June 2020. His siblings were placed in the conservatorship of their paternal grandparents, while their parents retained possessory rights. However, the grandparents did not want Anton. His parents’ rights were ultimately terminated in the hope that the Department could find him a forever home. Anton was sent to a foster home in Houston, Texas.


By 2020, Anton had lost nearly everything—his mom, his dad, his siblings, his grandparents, and his hometown.


Initially, Brenna had planned to resign from CASA after completing her first case, as she was relocating to Houston for school. But when she learned about Anton and that he was in Houston, she made a decision that would change his life: she stayed with CASA and signed onto his case.


For the next four years, Anton remained in that same foster home. While his basic needs were met, the foster family was not interested in adopting him. Brenna, however, never wavered. She visited Anton every month, checked in with his therapists to ensure he could process his trauma, connected with his teachers to support his education, and persistently reminded CPS that this little boy needed a forever home. She stayed in close contact with his attorney and advocated for him in court. From 2021 to 2025, Brenna made sure Anton was never forgotten.


In 2023, Anton’s siblings re-entered care due to neglect and abuse by their grandparents. CPS offered his parents a second chance to make positive changes—and this time, Mom successfully reunited with her daughters. Seeing this, Brenna recognized an opportunity for Anton: not only could he find a forever home, but he could also be reunited with his family.


Through Brenna’s tireless advocacy, Anton was finally able to return to his hometown of San Antonio in 2024 and, several months later, was placed back with his mom and sisters. In June 2025, CPS petitioned the court to reinstate his mother’s parental rights, and Anton was finally a whole family again.


Because of Brenna’s dedication, Anton got back his mom, his sisters, and his hometown—a true testament to the power of consistent advocacy.

Story of Hope: Staff Advocate Yvonne and Zoe

By bfines • February 17, 2026
In December 2024, the Department requested TMC for a youth, Zoe, who was found to be homeless after both parents refused to accept parental responsibility. The mother had an extensive CPS history, and the alleged father had CPS history and a criminal history. While in care, life became challenging as Zoe made decisions that jeopardized placement; choosing to skip school, run away from placement, and get arrested for a misdemeanor charge. As a result of these behaviors, the Department placed Zoe in a facility out of state. In August 2025, Staff Advocate, Yvonne, accepted the Crossover Court Case involving Zoe. During the initial Zoom meeting between Yvonne and Zoe, the youth shared her love for sketching, singing, and making people smile. Zoe further shared her hopes and dreams with Yvonne; stating that if parental rights were terminated, she hopes to be adopted by a loving family and wants to pursue her dream of having a career in law enforcement. Recently, Yvonne had the opportunity to visit Zoe at her out-of-state placement, where their conversations were not limited by time on a video call. When Yvonne met Zoe in person, she shared that she couldn’t sleep the morning of Yvonne’s arrival because she feared that Yvonne would be another adult who did not show up for her. Yvonne was able to lay that worry to rest by simply keeping her word, a small act that means the world to the children CASA serves. During the visit, Zoe shared that she wanted to make her CASA proud by improving her school grades, staying out of trouble with peers at placement, and staying busy with extracurricular activities. Yvonne was happy to hear Zoe share her aspirations and encouraged Zoe to continue on this positive path. The conversations about Zoe’s day-to-day happenings in life led her to share the more traumatic events with Yvonne. Yvonne listened and provided a space for Zoe to share what she was comfortable with. Yvonne encouraged Zoe to continue processing her trauma and grief with her therapist and find peace, past the pain of being estranged from her family and individuals whom she trusted. Despite the setbacks Zoe has endured in efforts to restore family connections, Yvonne continues to show up and support Zoe in self-advocating for her educational and placement needs as she approaches adulthood. Zoe’s educational goal is to attend her senior prom and walk across the stage at a public high school to receive her diploma. Most importantly, Zoe hopes to be placed in a Texas foster home where she will be protected, loved, and trusted. Regardless of where life and the case takes Zoe, Yvonne will be there at every turn.

February Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • February 17, 2026
Maquisha Nunn
Show More