May Advocate Spotlight

Mark Ramos and Juan Villarreal

Advocate: Joseph Zlotkowski

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

“I (Juan) became a CASA in January 2020. I was inspired to volunteer after learning about the CASA organization and its mission on the Texicanas TV show. In the last four years, I’ve had the opportunity to advocate for seventeen children, whose ages range between 0-16, on nine cases.”

 

“I (Mark) have been an advocate since April 2023. Seeing my husband as an advocate inspired me to become one. I witnessed him receive the Judge Sakai award after hearing about all his hard work as an advocate. Hearing the stories of other advocates including my husband that day encouraged me to become one. I was very excited to learn how to advocate for children who aren’t able to advocate for themselves.”


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

“The aspects we both view as most rewarding are the bonds we build and the progress the children make along the way. The children are always excited to see us or get a call. Towards the end of our visits, they’re always excited to make plans for the next visit.”

 

“We also enjoy sibling visits. Sometimes the kids may not see each other for several weeks or months. When we can make those visits happen, it’s rewarding to witness the happiness and love the siblings share with each other.”


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

“There will be speed bumps throughout the case — it’s normal. There will be some difficult days, but mostly successful and productive days. Document as much as possible, as soon as possible. Refer to your Optima notes when preparing your Court Reports. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your CASA Supervisor. Always remember why you became an Advocate.”

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
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