July Advocate Spotlight

Miranda Robles

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


I have been an advocate for one year. I realized I wanted to become an advocate a few months before I applied. I wanted to do more volunteering but continue within the courts and justice system. I also realized I had minimal exposure to working with children and wanted to expand my experience in that. My mom told me my grandma used to be a supervisor and told me how rewarding it was, and I knew I wanted to be an advocate for CASA.


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


The most rewarding aspect of being an advocate is being able to connect with the kids you come into contact with. Building that bond with them every visit and seeing that they are cared for and are happy makes this volunteer worth it and makes my motivation stronger to make sure these children have a voice in continuing this happiness.


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


A few words of encouragement that I would give to other advocates is to trust the process. It might be a little overwhelming and intimidating at first, but once you get into the flow and get to know the kids, it’s amazing!

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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