Story of Hope: "I will be with you..."
Advocate Impact Story
"I will be with you as your friend along the way."
These words were shared with Katrina by her advocate, Aaron Anderson, as she was preparing to move for the 3rd time since her CPS case started. Such simple words can make a world of difference in a youth's life.
Katrina and her brother Kyle have been through a lot in their young lives. They were removed from a home that while we may think was never appropriate, it was home for them. Kyle is non-verbal which means Karina feels more alone most of the time as she cannot communicate and share their feelings with Kyle. Katrina has expressed feeling alone at times but feels comfort knowing that they are together in the same placement.
Aaron was assigned to the case a few months ago and quickly made contact with the youth. He tried really hard to create rapport and build a relationship with the children though circumstances made it difficult. Aaron never backed down, making sure that anyone and everyone would listen to the attempts to build that relationship with the children.
Aaron’s persistence paid off and he was able to visit with the children virtually. Katrina was hesitant to talk to Aaron but within time was able to open up. They talked about the upcoming placement change and she expressed being scared about moving yet again. Aaron reassured her that everything would be okay and stated "I'll be there as your friend along the way." Immediately the youth smiled and was observed taking a deep breath as if she was relieved and knew she was no longer alone- she now had a friend.
A lot of our children are expressing fear and mixed emotions as they are approaching the summer months. For some, it means that their routines are changing while others are nervous about attending summer camp. Some of our youth will even be moving placements now that the school year has ended. It is important that our advocates continue to ensure these children that they will be "with them as their friend along the way” just as Aaron has done for Katrina and Kyle.
Emily Benedict: Championing College Dreams for Youth in Care Emily Benedict has always believed deeply in the power of higher education and has a passion for making college access a reality—especially for youth in foster care. When she expressed interest in taking on a second CASA case, she was clear about her goal: she wanted to work with a youth on the college docket, helping them navigate the complex path toward applying to and enrolling in college. In August of last year, Emily was matched with a 16-year-old youth living at Connections in New Braunfels. The teen had spent several years in care, with her parents’ rights terminated and a previous kinship placement having broken down. Though she had two siblings, she was no longer in contact with them. From their first meeting, a strong connection grew between Emily and her youth—especially during a Clifton Strengths event hosted at CASA. As the school year kicked off, Emily quickly stepped in to advocate for her youth’s education. She connected with school counselors, began tracking her youth’s grades and attendance, and stepped up when she learned the teen was failing two classes due to a lack of access to technology. Emily secured a Chromebook and printer through CASA, ensuring her youth had the tools to succeed. With weekly check-ins, academic encouragement, and consistent support, her youth turned things around—eventually getting back on track to graduate a year early . Knowing college was the goal, Emily helped prepare her youth for the journey ahead. She shared opportunities for SAT prep, researched application deadlines, supported her through the FAFSA process, and made sure every college application was submitted on time. She also enrolled her in the PAL program, arranged campus tours, and even ensured she had the required immunizations for enrollment. Emily didn’t stop there—she helped her youth open a bank account and advocated tirelessly with the caseworker to get her into a driver’s ed program. Throughout the year, Emily also supported her youth emotionally. She helped her process complex feelings about being separated from her siblings and successfully facilitated a visit—opening the door to renewed phone and virtual contact. Just weeks before graduation, the youth’s placement at her residential facility fell through, and she began couch-surfing with friends. Emily didn’t miss a beat. She stayed in close contact with the youth’s support team—including her caseworker, attorney, and college docket facilitators—keeping everyone updated and focused on solutions. She explored housing options, called multiple facilities, and even reached out to colleges to see if the teen could move into a dorm early. Though dorms were restricted to 18+, Emily remained determined. She arranged a meeting between the teen and Judge Montemayor, who encouraged her to finish her final week of school and graduate—assuring her of continued support while placement was pending. Soon after, Emily discovered Lifeworks in Austin, a program offering housing, counseling, education, and workforce support. She helped secure a spot, drove her youth around town to collect belongings, and personally transported her on move-in day—returning the next day to check in. Emily proudly attended the teen’s graduation at the end of May. She is now helping her enroll in an online course for the fall semester, giving her a head start on college before she turns 18 in November and transitions into a Supervised Independent Living (SIL) dorm. Through every setback and success, Emily has remained a steady, empowering force—amplifying her youth’s voice, championing her goals, and proving the life-changing impact of one dedicated CASA volunteer.
Sherri Lee Boos
