January Advocate Spotlight

Carolyn Wallace

Advocate: Joseph Zlotkowski

1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?

I was sworn in as an Advocate in February 2023 and signed on to my first case in March! I’ve been passionate about foster care, specifically teenagers in care, for several years but it wasn’t until I learned about CASA that I realized I could have an impact outside of being a foster parent. Once I learned about CASA I knew it was for me and applied as soon as I could!


2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an advocate?

The most rewarding part of being an Advocate is seeing the progress of your CASA kids! Often times working through trauma is a long and difficult process and it’s not linear, so I watch for any small victories and make a point to celebrate those with my kiddos. To an outsider these victories may seem small, but for the kids they feel huge so celebrating them helps the child know they have someone in their corner cheering them on and to stay motivated to keep going, even after a setback. Over time those small victories add up to a really big accomplishment! 


3. If you could offer some words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?

Remember that children are so much more than what is in their file. Sometimes children, especially those with high needs, can have a file that reads more like a “wrap sheet”, but it’s important to remember that those behaviors are trauma related and it does not make them a “bad kid”. Be patient, consistent, honest, listen, stick to your word, and never underestimate the importance of always showing up for them unconditionally. Over time (sometimes lots of time) they will start to open up to you and begin to trust you, and having someone they can trust to consistently be there for them can make all the difference in their life. 

Story of Hope: Brennan Holland

By bfines • February 13, 2025
Brennan Holland was assigned to Sarah in December 2022. Sarah entered foster care with a history of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, yet she remains incredibly resilient. Throughout her time in care, she has experienced multiple placements. Brennan quickly learned that Sarah has a strong passion for neuroscience and dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon. Determined to pursue her goal, she graduated early from high school and is now enrolled in the College Bound Docket program, attending her school of choice—UTSA. However, the path to achieving her dream has not been without challenges.\ Sarah received a discharge notice from her current placement and was denied Supervised Independent Living (SIL) until she turned 18. It felt as though no one was giving her a real chance. CASA stepped in to advocate for Sarah’s independence, pushing for her to live in a dorm on her own. Not everyone on her team supported this idea due to concerns about her age, limited independent living experience, and fears that she might run away, be influenced by older peers, or engage in risky behavior. CASA, however, continued to stand by Sarah, even offering financial assistance to help her move into a dorm until she became eligible for SIL.  At Sarah’s next court hearing on January 24, 2025, her attorney ad litem filed a motion for her to live in a dorm at UTSA. CASA once again advocated for the court to approve this plan. The judge, quoting Brennan’s court report, stated, “Brennan said it correctly: You are going to succeed or fail based on your decisions.” Ultimately, the judge authorized Sarah to live in the dorms on campus and ordered CPS to cover the cost of SIL. CASA recently assisted Sarah in moving into her very first dorm room, and we are excited to see what the future holds for her. Since being placed on campus, she has built a strong network of supportive adults to help her thrive. The impact of CASA facilitating these vital connections is crucial in ensuring that young adults like Sarah have the support they need to successfully transition into adulthood.

February Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • February 13, 2025
Emily White
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