Kim Weiser and Rachel Drake say advocates serve as a steady presence for abused and neglected children in Walker, San Jacinto and Trinity counties
/wp:heading wp:heading {"level":3}A steady season with steady work
/wp:heading wp:paragraphCASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties is using its early-year “quiet season” to focus on supporting active cases and the volunteers who carry them, according to Executive Director Kim Weiser and Program Director Rachel Drake.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph“It’s been busy,” Drake said. “We’ve been just focusing a lot on our cases and making sure that our advocates are supported.”
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphWeiser said the organization typically avoids public fundraising and major events from January until late April, creating space to concentrate on internal operations, staff transitions and volunteer support. “It’s nice to kind of have a couple of months to focus on our internal business,” she said.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3}When former kids reach back out
/wp:heading wp:paragraphDrake and Weiser described the long-term impact CASA volunteers can have, even after cases close.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph“One of my past kids actually a few months ago reached out to say, ‘I’m applying for colleges. Will you write me a letter of recommendation?’” Drake said.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphWeiser shared another example from within the organization’s extended CASA family. “She was an advocate for that child 15 years ago,” Weiser said. “The child’s in her 30s now… still said, ‘Was just thinking of you today. Just wanted to say hi and I love you.’”
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3}The mission is consistency
/wp:heading wp:paragraphWeiser said CASA’s expectation for volunteers is clear from the start: show up consistently and stay committed.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph“We don’t sugarcoat anything,” Weiser said. “Are you in this for real? Are you in it for the long haul? … You are going to show up for them month after month after month.”
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphShe said advocates often work far beyond monthly visits, coordinating with attorneys, caseworkers, teachers, counselors and medical providers while ensuring a child’s needs are clearly presented to the court. “People are not really familiar with all the other work that our CASAs are doing,” she said.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3}Nervous first steps, strong support
/wp:heading wp:paragraphDrake said new advocates commonly feel nervous heading into their first case and first court settings, but CASA staff and supervisors walk alongside them throughout the process.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph“We assure them throughout the process, like you’re not in this alone,” Drake said. “We’ll sit down and go over it. I’m going to meet you outside the courtroom. We’re going to walk in together.”
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphDrake said CASA volunteers are often the most prepared voices in the room because they know the children’s histories and current needs in detail. “There’s been times where other people in the room don’t know or they forget,” she said. “But our CASAs know them and they know them very well.”
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3}What court typically looks like
/wp:heading wp:paragraphWeiser said much of what happens in child welfare court differs from courtroom dramas seen on television. Instead of a constant stream of witness testimony, she said many hearings involve multiple parties standing before a judge to give updates and address the child’s plan.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraph“The advocate and the supervisor on that case will go up,” Drake said, describing a typical setting that can include the child’s attorney, each parent’s attorney, the CPS caseworker, supervisors and the attorney for the state.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphWeiser said formal trial settings are more likely to occur when a case reaches a trial stage, but day-to-day hearings are generally focused on progress, needs and next steps.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3}Awards highlight “above and beyond” service
/wp:heading wp:paragraphCASA recently recognized volunteers for extraordinary service, naming Lesley Knappen as Advocate of the Year and Melanie Oates as Volunteer of the Year.
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Drake said Knappen’s work reflects the heart of CASA’s mission, describing her commitment to a teen who lacks stable family supports. Drake said Knappen has shown up consistently across placements and hard seasons. “She is his family,” Drake said.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphDrake said Knappen also logged more than 4,000 miles over the year while continuing the behind-the-scenes advocacy work that cases require.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphWeiser said Volunteer of the Year honors non-advocate volunteers and supporters who help the mission through events and behind-the-scenes service, describing Oates as someone whose “answer is never no.”
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphWeiser also listed Volunteer of the Year nominees as:
/wp:paragraph wp:list- Lisa Branch
- Jill Pagels
- Nancy Ormsby
- Sue Slater
- Leigh Ann Kavalick
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How to learn more about becoming an advocate
/wp:heading wp:paragraphDrake said many advocates wish they had started sooner, especially those who waited until retirement. “That’s always their first word,” she said. “Do it. Do it now.”
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphWeiser said community support in any form helps sustain the work, whether through volunteering, donating or participating in events. “Everything we talked about today is what all of our donors and our volunteers are supporting,” she said.
/wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3}About CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties
/wp:heading wp:paragraphCASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties provides trained, court-appointed volunteer advocacy for children in the custody of Children’s Protective Services and works toward a safe, permanent, nurturing home for every child.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphThe organization serves children who have experienced abuse or neglect and assigns trained community volunteers to advocate for each child’s best interest in court and beyond.
/wp:paragraph wp:paragraphCASA’s office is located at 2515 Pine Shadows Drive in Huntsville. For more information about volunteering, donating or attending a CASA 101 session, visit casaofwalkercounty.org or call 936-291-2272.
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