Story of Hope: Renee Ariens

Story of Hope: Renee Ariens

Renee Ariens has been a CASA advocate since July of 2017. She was assigned a case to advocate for Tom who came into care in the late summer of 2018. He was a quiet fourteen-year-old, very reserved in social situations. Renee’s most impactful work was advocating for Tom’s hearing loss. Through conversations with Tom, Renee determined that Tom had been aware of problems with his hearing for many years, but he had never been assessed by a physician. 


In early 2020, Tom was taken to a doctor. His ears were full of wax, so they were cleaned out in the hope of helping his hearing. Renee pressed for further investigation when Tom reported no real improvement after the ear cleaning.


In early 2021, Tom was taken to an ENT who noted no additional deterioration in his hearing but did recommend further testing and referred him for hearing aids. Additional testing was completed in the spring, and it was discovered that Tom lacked a cochlear in his left ear and had no hearing on that side. Once again hearing aids were recommended.


Renee continued to follow up with Tom’s caseworker and placement throughout the summer and fall regarding an appointment for hearing aids. By the time an appointment was finally made, Tom had turned 18 and his health insurance would no longer pay for hearing aids. Neither department nor the placement had funds to pay for them. Through a grant, CASA was able to purchase the hearing aids for Tom which were fitted for him in January of 2022. People in the room cried as a big smile crossed his face when he realized he could hear clearly for the first time.



Tom is now much more confident at school, responds to questions more readily, is more engaged, and is more social with his peers. He says he can hear better and just feels great. Thank you to Renee’s advocacy Tom was able to receive his hearing aids and gain confidence.

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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