Story of Hope: Sylvia Reyna

 In the heart of San Antonio, a story of resilience and hope unfolds, illustrating the profound impact of a CASA advocate on the lives of children navigating the complexities of the child protective services system. This story centers on two siblings, a brother (14) and a sister (16), living in circumstances no child should ever face. They endured years of neglect and physical abuse while under the care of their elderly grandparents and delinquent parents, their young lives clouded by despair, uncertainty, and unspeakable trauma—including their mother's death and father's incarceration when CPS assumed custody.


Enter CASA, a beacon of hope and advocacy in a tumultuous time as they navigated life in unfamiliar home and school surroundings, countless rules and regulations, investigative personnel, doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, lawyers, and court appearances. A CASA volunteer was appointed to the siblings' case, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for the children and everyone involved in their path to healing and stability.


The children's CASA advocate profoundly understood that trust is the cornerstone of recovery for children. As such, the advocate approached the siblings gently and consistently, offering them a sense of safety and predictability they had long been missing. Through regular visits, attentive listening, and the simple act of being there, she slowly but surely began rebuilding the trust their previous experiences had shattered.


One of the advocate's primary goals was to ensure that the siblings were placed in a stable, nurturing home environment where they could thrive. The advocate worked tirelessly to advocate for their placement in a home that met their physical needs and provided a loving, supportive atmosphere. The advocate's strategic interventions and persistent advocacy in court were instrumental in their kinship placement with their uncle. He served as a lifeline and accepted the challenge of helping raise two teenagers when he had already raised three of his children. The home situation, however, was not without its share of difficulties. It was clear that the sister's prolonged childhood trauma proved to be a challenge. Upon her 18th birthday, she decided to leave the state's care and, subsequently, her uncle's home, determined to make it independently without support services. Within two and a half months, the sister requested extended care services from the state because she had no educational skills or means of support and had lost custody of her baby due to false reports made by the grandparents. She was lost and needed help. After a long and arduous journey to find housing for the sister, the CASA advocate rallied with the children's ad litem to secure a spot for her at Seton Home. She has since reunified with her two-year-old daughter, and both are thriving.


School can be a sanctuary for children facing turmoil at home, offering structure, normalcy, and the opportunity for achievement. Unfortunately, the children's educational career was often interrupted or even derailed because of their involved trauma, which led to numerous absences, missed credits, and a general aversion to school. The CASA advocate collaborated closely with educators and school counselors to ensure the siblings received the needed academic and emotional support. This included individualized education plans to address learning gaps, counseling services to help them process their experiences, and extracurricular activities to foster their talents and interests. Through these efforts, the young man is thriving in a new school, and his sister is on her way to completing her GED. The dramatic change in their approach to schooling will ensure a future filled with possibilities.


Perhaps the most profound role of the CASA advocate was that of an unwavering source of support—a shoulder to lean on during life's inevitable ups and downs. Whether celebrating academic achievements, offering encouragement through setbacks, or simply being a compassionate listener, the advocate was a constant presence in the siblings' lives, embodying the essence of hope and resilience.


The journey of these siblings, the brother now 16 and the sister now 19, is a testament to the transformative power of strategic, compassionate advocacy. As they continue to heal and grow, their story serves as a beacon of hope for countless other children navigating childhood trauma. It underscores the critical importance of CASA volunteers and the indelible impact they can have on the lives of vulnerable children.


In a world where despair can easily overshadow hope, these siblings' stories remind us of the incredible resilience of the human spirit and the power of dedicated individuals to ignite change. These children were given a chance at a better life and became a symbol of hope and perseverance for others in similar situations.


As I share this story, please join me in celebrating the courage of these remarkable siblings and the CASA program's unwavering mission to ensure every child can thrive in a safe, loving, and supportive environment. This story is a call to action, a reminder of the difference one person can make in a child's life, and an invitation to become a part of this life-changing journey.



I am proud of my two CASA children—theirs is a story of hope.

Sylvia R. Reyna, Ph.D.

Meet Our Staff Advocates!

June 17, 2026
Pictured, left to right, JoAnn, Yvonne, Lorena, Mackenzie, Michelle, Stephanie, and Dan At CASA, our vision is to serve every child in foster care with a dedicated advocate. While an incredible volunteer serves most children, our new team of Staff Advocates helps expand our capacity to serve children with extremely challenging cases. Staff Advocates help fill critical gaps by taking on cases that often require more intensive coordination and support. These may include larger sibling groups, children with multiple placements, cases connected to specialty courts, or youth placed outside of Bexar County, sometimes even in other cities or states. By supporting these more complex situations, Staff Advocates ensure that children still receive consistent advocacy and attention when additional time or specialized support is needed. Our team includes six Staff Advocates and one Team Lead, all trained employees who work directly with children and families involved in the child welfare system. Thanks to funding from Bexar County and the John R. & Greli N. Less Charitable Trust , the Staff Advocate program has served 126 children in the past year who might not otherwise have had CASA’s brand of consistent, caring advocacy. We are also delighted to announce funding from National CASA/GAL Association to partially support the program in the coming year. In addition to their casework, our Staff Advocates support the Recruitment Department by helping raise awareness about advocacy opportunities in the community. Because they work directly with children and the court system, they bring valuable, real-life insight into what advocacy truly looks like. Staff Advocates have joined the recruitment team at several community events, including Coffee Shop Info Sessions, Comic Con, Faith-based markets, and National Night Out. At these events, they answer questions, share their experiences, and help potential volunteers better understand what it means to advocate for a child in foster care. They bring a firsthand perspective full of authenticity and impact for those considering becoming CASA volunteers. Impact in the Community During our past fiscal year starting July 2025, our Staff Advocates have served 126 children, including 23 children who were placed outside of Bexar County. Since its inception in January 2025, the team’s work has contributed to several meaningful outcomes for children and youth, including: 6 successful reunifications with parents , impacting 16 children 2 adoptions , providing permanent homes for 4 children 2 permanency placements for long-term care , supporting 4 children 1 successful transition into adulthood , where a young person is now attending college, employed, and living independently in her own apartment 6 college-bound students supported These outcomes reflect the dedication and commitment our Staff Advocates bring to every case they serve. Thank you, Staff Advocate Team! If you are interested in learning more about becoming a CASA advocate or attending an upcoming information session, we invite you to connect with our Recruitment Team and discover how you can make a difference in a child’s life.

Story of Hope: Staff Advocate Michelle

June 8, 2026
Harrison came into care in January 2021 due to abuse and neglect in the home. The department attempted to implement a few safety plans but to no avail. Ultimately, the parents were unable and unwilling to provide him with a safe and stable home environment, and Harrison was placed into foster care. In June 2025, Staff Advocate, Michelle, was assigned to the case, and he was living with his aunt in Laredo, TX. From day one, Michelle has been dedicated to getting to know Harrison, establishing rapport, and building trust. She would take the time to listen to him and get to know his likes and interests. When she first met him, he was timid and shy but as he gained confidence and became more comfortable, he started to open up to Michelle. He started advocating for himself, asking for a new charger for his laptop to do his schoolwork and started to disclose more important topics such as sensitive issues he was facing with his family. In October 2025, while Michelle was heading to Laredo to visit Harrison, he called her to let her know that he was no longer allowed back into his aunt’s home. There was a placement breakdown happening due to a verbal/physical altercation with his aunt and other family members, and his aunt gave notice to the department that day. Upon arrival at Laredo, Michelle immediately called Harrison’s case worker and attorney to let them know what had just transpired. Due to Harrison being 18 and not officially in extended care, Michelle was met with some pushbacks; however, she persevered and asked what his options were, if any, and how we could help him. Harrison’s team worked together and was able to get the extended care paperwork drafted and completed and Michelle was able to brainstorm with Harrison to find him a temporary home with a close friend until his caseworker could bring him back to San Antonio. Michelle took Harrison to his aunt’s so he could pack his belongings and stay with his friend temporarily. Michelle was so thankful that she could be there for him in his time of need. A few days later, Harrison was back in San Antonio. Harrison is currently thriving in his Supervised Independent Living (SIL) placement and is on track to graduate high school in May. He has plans to attend college for Cosmetology. He has had a tremendous change in his overall mood and is coming into his own as a confident young adult. When asked by Michelle how he feels being at his current placement, his response was “safe” and that’s all Michelle needed to hear to know she was making a positive impact.
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