Story of Hope: Christina Brockway

Story of Hope: Christina Brockway 


Christina has been amplifying the voices of her CASA children since 2015. Throughout her seven years at CASA, Christina has made huge impacts on her cases, seeing several of them through to adoption and even maintaining contact with some of her CASA children throughout the years.


Christina’s most recent case, however, has been a challenging and emotional one.

She was assigned to a case of a teen girl upon having been requested by the teen’s guardian ad-litem over a year ago. The teen girl came into the care of the Department after being recovered from a month on runaway status. The teen’s father refused to take her back; stating she had a history of running away and he was afraid she would continue to run, disrupting his other children’s lives. The teen’s mother's rights had previously been terminated in 2019 and there were no other viable relatives to care for her.


Upon meeting the teen, she and Christina immediately connected and formed a positive rapport with one another.


The case has not been easy. The teen has run from multiple placements, been involved in life-threatening situations requiring trips to the Emergency Room and hospitalizations. She has undergone traumatic experiences no child should have to go through.


Nevertheless, Christina has been by her side through it all. Every placement her teen has been admitted into, Christina visits shortly after, ensuring she has hygiene items, clothing and checking on her well-being. Christina was the first person at the hospital when her teen was admitted after a life-threatening accident. While on runaway, Christina constantly reaches out to her teen on social media, patiently waiting for a response letting her know she is safe. Although the teen does not disclose her whereabouts, she checks in with Christina to let her know she is safe. Other times, she has contacted Christina to pick her up at a nearby park as she’s ready to be in a placement. Several times Christina has been the only person her teen will reach out to when she’s on runaway.


Christina has also established a network of support with CPS, CASA, and attorneys on the case. She reaches out to the teen’s family looking for information, clues and answers on her teen’s whereabouts. She asks about other family members and friends that might be willing to take her.


And when in court, Christina will speak up for her teen, amplifying her voice and informing the Judge of not only what she wants, but what she needs and feels is in her best interest. Christina’s teen has been involved in three different courts: Children’s Court, CWOP- Children without Placement Court and Juvenile Court. At times these hearings have overlapped or were held multiples times a week. Christina has been to all hearings but one, as she was out ill. She writes reports, keeps up with staffing, meetings, and maintains parties on the case informed of any and all information pertaining to her teen.


Without a doubt, Christina has been a constant person in her CASA teen’s life. Her strong character and warm heart embody the qualities of a great CASA advocate. Although Christina’s teen is currently on runaway and the case may be far from over, her teen knows Christina is there for her, looking out for her, and has her best interest at heart.


Christina’s hope is to one day be able to see her teen in a safe, permanent, loving home and be able to spend quality time together going to a movie, out to a fancy dinner, or just bonding while getting their nails done.

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
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