Story of Hope: Cindy
June Advocate Impact Story
Written By: Cindy's Advocate Supervisor
Cindy Lacey has been a CASA advocate since June 2019. She was already working a case with two children, when her supervisor came across a new case that she thought would be perfect for Cindy. Knowing that this child needed an advocate with the time, energy, heart, and passion to put into this case, she recommended Cindy.
Melissa (13) had special needs, including not being able to walk or talk. Her mother was no longer willing or able to care for Melissa and that is how she came into CPS custody. The mother indicated that she wanted to relinquish her rights after moving out of state.
When Melissa came into care, there were not many records about what her medical needs were. She was also in a wheelchair that was at least 5 years old, and not meeting her needs. That was the first thing Cindy noticed and quickly began to work on to find a solution.
On a Thursday, Cindy, her CASA supervisor, and the caseworker all had a meeting via Zoom. During that meeting Cindy was provided information about “Project Mend”, a local organization that helps provide wheelchairs and other medical supplies to the community. Within 2 days, Cindy was able to secure a brand new wheelchair for Melissa, one that was upgraded to meet her needs, complete with a headrest that provided Melissa’s head much needed support. She then picked up the new wheelchair and drove it out to Kerrville for a porch drop-off. Cindy alone was responsible for making all the contacts and coordinating all of the logistics to get Melissa this much needed upgrade.
Cindy has been on this case less than a month, and has already made a huge medical impact for Melissa and has greatly improved her quality of life. I look forward to the other impacts she will be able to make on this case moving forward.
Help us provide more Advocates like Cindy who are willing to go above and beyond even in the midst of crisis to provide a voice for children in foster care.
Fund Their Hope
In December 2024, CPS received a referral reporting that Demitri and Maria were living under a bridge along with their three children, Santiago, Mary, and Jose. The Department sought removal of the siblings due to numerous concerns including substance use by all members of the family unit, unsanitary living conditions, malnourishment, and other safety risks. It was later discovered that the children had a significant gap in their education and medical care, and that the two oldest children had juvenile justice involvement. The parents also had an extensive history with CPS. A few months after removal, CASA Advocates, Alejandro Trevino and Lauren Wise, were appointed to the case, quickly becoming a consistent and trusted presence in the lives of the Santiago (16), Mary (15), and Jose (13). During their first meeting, the siblings expressed a deep desire to stay together and eventually reunite with their parents, emphasizing that they had always been together as a family. Unfortunately, shortly after that initial encounter, Santiago and Mary were placed in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) located hours away from Jose. Multiple placement changes followed, creating ongoing instability that further complicated their healing process. From the beginning, the CASA Advocates have worked tirelessly to ensure that the children’s services remain uninterrupted despite the frequent transitions. They continue to collaborate with CPS, the children’s attorney ad litem, and various placements to ensure the siblings’ voices are heard and their best interests prioritized. Alejandro and Lauren attend every staffing, court hearing, service plan meeting, and Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) meeting while always advocating for stability, connection, and permanency. Understanding the critical importance of sibling relationships, the advocates made it their mission to preserve the children’s bond. They arranged for regular sibling contact, both virtually and in-person, overcoming logistical challenges caused by distance and restrictive placement protocols. At one point, Alejandro and Lauren personally facilitated a sibling visit, traveling a total of 638 miles to ensure the children could spend the time together. It was a powerful act of care, giving the siblings a moment of normalcy and joy in an otherwise turbulent time. For nearly the entirety of the case, the children have been separated from one another and far from their hometown. In the face of prolonged separation, instability, and emotional distress, Alejandro and Lauren’s efforts have played a key role in preserving the siblings’ emotional connection and sense of family. Because of their unwavering commitment, the siblings are now living in the same city again and are showing improvement in their academics and health. While the future remains uncertain and family reunification is still unclear, the advocates continue to hold hope that the siblings can at least be reunited with one another and return to San Antonio. This story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of tremendous challenges, the love between siblings and the dedication of caring advocates can foster hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future.
Deborah Hom
