Story of Hope: Danya McCree

Danya McCree was sworn in as a CASA advocate in September of 2022. During her exit interview, she mentioned that she preferred to work with younger children but would consider wherever there was a need. The case I presented to her was that of a 17-year-old boy named Ryan. Danya read his history and learned that he was severely neglected and had sustained physical abuse. She stated that she had been praying about the case she would receive and knew that it would be a teen.


She was more than ready for the case. She met with Ryan for the first time, and he was pretty withdrawn and had a hard time expressing himself to her. She expressed to her supervisor having trouble getting him to open up. While she understood his history, she knew that there was a lot that he was not expressing. It was not until a car ride to grab dinner that she discovered his absolute love for 80’s music and classic rock. She was amazed at how this music allowed him to open up and express himself. Ryan stated that there were times that he was left alone and the only thing he had was music, so he learned to allow the music to speak for him. This love for music would strengthen the relationship between the two. They planned weekly car rides just to talk and listen to music. They even dressed up in their favorite 80’s attire for Halloween. It was a true joy to see these two and their connection.

 

Due to Ryan’s history, he was very behind in school and required a lot of dental work. Between Dayna, the CPS caseworker and a very involved ad litem, he was back on track educationally and with a brand-new smile. In the beginning of the case, Ryan did not even think that he would graduate. Now, he is on the College Docket and has plans to attend college and possibly join the military.

 

This is no longer the quiet and withdrawn boy that everyone once knew. He has found his voice, he is on track to graduate, he is working, and he constantly thanks his advocate Dayna for simply showing up and playing the music. I know that it is not always easy to advocate for our older youth but sometimes they just need someone to listen and speak their language, which in this case was MUSIC!

A Message from Child Advocates San Antonio on National CASA/GAL Funding Termination

By bfines • April 25, 2025
A Message from Child Advocates San Antonio on National CASA/GAL Funding Termination On April 24, 2025, the National CASA/GAL Association announced that its federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice has been terminated. As a result, National CASA is suspending subaward disbursements, training programs, and technical assistance. The organization is actively appealing the decision and assessing what services it can continue to provide during this transition. Info from National CASA can be found here. We understand that this announcement may raise concerns in the community, and we want to provide reassurance and clarity regarding how this news affects Child Advocates San Antonio. First and foremost: There is no impact to our organization or our services. We are fully operational and remain committed to serving the children and families in our community with the same excellence, integrity, compassion, and commitment we have always shown. Here are key facts we want our supporters and the public to know: Our funding remains secure. Child Advocates San Antonio has a diverse and stable funding base that includes a healthy mix of public and private funding. No one funding stream exceeds 50% of our budget. You can access our recent financials HERE. Our stability comes from strong state support and our dedicated Bexar County community, which keeps Child Advocates San Antonio resilient and focused on serving children. We do not receive subawards from National CASA. The suspension of subaward disbursements has no bearing on our funding or ability to operate. Our training programs continue without interruption. Our comprehensive and high-quality Advocate training programs are fully intact. We do not require technical assistance from National CASA. Our team is experienced, well-resourced, and prepared to continue all programming. No cuts, no hiring freezes, no changes to our operations. We remain fully staffed and actively engaged in our mission to advocate for children in foster care. Our commitment to advocating for children in foster care is unwavering, and our services continue as usual. We want to be clear: Child Advocates San Antonio is strong, stable, and here to stay. CASA programs in Texas are strong, independent, and fully committed to children in foster care. While we’re aware of the situation with National CASA/GAL, it doesn’t impact the critical advocacy happening here. Our commitment is clear: we will stand with the children we serve—until they are safe, their voices are heard, and their futures are secure. Our focus, as always, is on advocating for the best interests of children and ensuring they have a voice in court. Public support at all levels, including individuals, ensures we remain strong, regardless of national developments. No matter what, our mission stays the same – every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and have their voice heard. CASA’s mission is as important as ever— children in foster care need advocates who will stand by them. Start your Advocate Journey today!

April Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • April 11, 2025
Brittany Coppage
Show More