Advocate Spotlight: JoAnn & Benny
July Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
We became Advocates May 2017. We had been discussing volunteering for an organization since the Fall of 2016. After attending an information session in early 2017 and finding it very positive, we left realizing we decided to make a commitment to volunteer for CASA.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
The most rewarding aspect as an Advocate has been making a real connection with the children, establishing a trusting relationship and offering our support. As our relationships developed, we discovered how important our role is in the lives of these children who have experienced so much trauma in their lives.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
Our words of encouragement to any Advocate would be for them to remember that they should never feel as if they are alone throughout their journey as volunteers. We would stress that CASA has many resources to assist them in resolving issues that may come up as they work their case(s). Their CASA Supervisor is always their primary resource. Supervisors are very responsive and always have or can find answers to questions or concerns involving all aspects of the cases. Their guidance and support is always just a phone call away.
In December 2024, the Department requested TMC for a youth, Zoe, who was found to be homeless after both parents refused to accept parental responsibility. The mother had an extensive CPS history, and the alleged father had CPS history and a criminal history. While in care, life became challenging as Zoe made decisions that jeopardized placement; choosing to skip school, run away from placement, and get arrested for a misdemeanor charge. As a result of these behaviors, the Department placed Zoe in a facility out of state. In August 2025, Staff Advocate, Yvonne, accepted the Crossover Court Case involving Zoe. During the initial Zoom meeting between Yvonne and Zoe, the youth shared her love for sketching, singing, and making people smile. Zoe further shared her hopes and dreams with Yvonne; stating that if parental rights were terminated, she hopes to be adopted by a loving family and wants to pursue her dream of having a career in law enforcement. Recently, Yvonne had the opportunity to visit Zoe at her out-of-state placement, where their conversations were not limited by time on a video call. When Yvonne met Zoe in person, she shared that she couldn’t sleep the morning of Yvonne’s arrival because she feared that Yvonne would be another adult who did not show up for her. Yvonne was able to lay that worry to rest by simply keeping her word, a small act that means the world to the children CASA serves. During the visit, Zoe shared that she wanted to make her CASA proud by improving her school grades, staying out of trouble with peers at placement, and staying busy with extracurricular activities. Yvonne was happy to hear Zoe share her aspirations and encouraged Zoe to continue on this positive path. The conversations about Zoe’s day-to-day happenings in life led her to share the more traumatic events with Yvonne. Yvonne listened and provided a space for Zoe to share what she was comfortable with. Yvonne encouraged Zoe to continue processing her trauma and grief with her therapist and find peace, past the pain of being estranged from her family and individuals whom she trusted. Despite the setbacks Zoe has endured in efforts to restore family connections, Yvonne continues to show up and support Zoe in self-advocating for her educational and placement needs as she approaches adulthood. Zoe’s educational goal is to attend her senior prom and walk across the stage at a public high school to receive her diploma. Most importantly, Zoe hopes to be placed in a Texas foster home where she will be protected, loved, and trusted. Regardless of where life and the case takes Zoe, Yvonne will be there at every turn.
Maquisha Nunn
