November Advocate Spotlight

Matt McGlothlin

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



I have been an Advocate for just over four years now. Many years ago my employer at the time was a really big supporter of CASA. We had easels set up in the lobby of our building with pictures of kids that had benefitted from having an Advocate. It took several years and a volunteer fair at my church before I finally convinced myself to take the plunge. 


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


The most rewarding thing about being an Advocate is knowing that I am actually making a difference in someone’s life. I have always wanted to know that when I leave this world that someone aside from my family benefitted from my being here. With CASA, I can tangibly see the impact I am making. I also enjoy fighting for my kid, even when the odds seem against him. 


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


Mainly just “Never Give Up”. This can take on two forms. 


• Never give up on your kid. Ever. I have been with my current kid over 2 ½ years now. There were times when I felt like just stepping away. It took almost 9 months just to earn his trust. There were times he refused to see me. Sometimes his behavior was just terrible. But then I would tell myself that most of the adults in his life had walked away from him, and I was determined not to be another. I have made it a point to visit him whenever he is moved, regardless of where that is. Today we have a great relationship and he trusts me completely.


• Never give up fighting for your kid. There have been multiple times when just about everyone except my supervisor disagreed with my recommendations, even though I knew in my heart I was acting in his best interests. I have gone against CPS, his ad litem, case workers, and therapists. I listen to what they have to say but then I have to weigh what they are recommending with what is best for him. 


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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