Joven que estuvo en cuidado temporal ahora aboga por los niños en acogida de El Paso

Maria McCord was alone in the foster care system at 13, moved repeatedly and separated from her family. One consistent presence steadied her: a Court Appointed Special Advocate who visited, offered updates, and showed her someone cared. Now, working as a collaborative family engagement coach with Texas CASA in El Paso, McCord channels that experience into advocating for other vulnerable children.

"I felt alone and isolated from my family, isolated from my community," McCord said of her time in care, according to KVIA. "But the consistent person that was in my life was my CASA advocate, who came around and visited me and gave me updates on what was happening with my family, as well as what was happening."

CASA of El Paso trains community volunteers to represent abused and neglected children in family court, ensuring each has a trusted adult fighting for their interests. The organization operates entirely on volunteers and serves 100 percent of children in foster care locally. In the past year alone, CASA advocates served 300 children and provided 55,000 hours of advocacy, according to the outlet.

Lisa Saucedo, CASA of El Paso's CEO for 26 years, said McCord's story illustrates why the work matters despite its difficulty. "I have a lump in my throat when I hear these stories, and then a deep satisfaction knowing that we're helping," Saucedo told KVIA. "I always say to them, because I know we're helping. It's we're on the positive end of their experience."

CASA volunteers step in at critical junctures—preparing children for the school year, guiding them through legal proceedings, and providing stability during crisis. The organization was established locally in 1986 in the basement of the El Paso County Courthouse.

Texas ranks second nationally for the highest number of children in foster care. Local leadership emphasizes that demand for bilingual, Spanish-speaking advocates is especially critical in the Borderland. Those interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or supporting foster youth can visit becomeacasa.org or contact CASA of El Paso directly.