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October 2024 Advocate Spotlight: Saundra Bradley

We invite you to meet Saundra Bradley, nominated by Lead Justice-Involved Youth Advocacy Specialist Mike Quinn. Saundra joined Child Advocates as a volunteer in 2021, and she’s served on three child welfare cases, including one that lasted more than two years.

“Saundra is an excellent Advocate with a tremendous eye for detail,” Mike said. “She excels at all areas of advocacy. Rather than meeting the minimum standard for educational advocacy in her cases, she develops relationships with the children’s teachers and counselors so the kids can get the support they need to do well in school.”

We asked Saundra to share her experiences as an Advocate for vulnerable children in our community.

Is there anything unique about your background that contributes to your approach to advocacy?

For children in care, advocacy in many areas is often needed. I have tutored math for middle school and high school children and observed that academic difficulty can be not only a practical barrier, but a psychological barrier to success in other areas of life. I have seen kids blossom when they can be successful in a class that was seemingly beyond reach. Because of this personal background, I feel strongly about the importance of educational advocacy.

How did you become interested in volunteering for Child Advocates?

My daughter and her husband adopted their son out of the foster care system. Their experience with their son’s Advocate was positive and was also the beginning of my journey with the foster care system and the Texas CASA organization.  

Did you have any reservations about volunteering? How did you overcome them?

Yes, I did. I overcame my reservations one at a time! Early conversations with Child Advocates staff led to applying to the program. Acceptance into the program led to training. Training completion led to eligibility to become an Advocate. The first experience as an Advocate led to the next, then the next, etc.  Court hearings are still a bit anxiety-producing, but my Advocacy Specialists are supportive and have always attended with me and answered all my questions ahead of time.

Explain in your own words the work you do as a volunteer Advocate. Why is it essential for a child?

Advocates develop an informed opinion regarding the best interests of the child. A volunteer Advocate works to improve the daily life of a child, identifying unmet needs and advocating for those needs to be met. We provide an independent perspective to the court. Volunteers advocate in broad areas of health, education, legal, and safety. Advocacy can take the form of researching records to understand a child’s needs and connect the family with resources or having conversations with their teachers to understand what additional resources can help a child in school. Spending time with the children, building rapport and relationships, is important and more meaningful to the children than I originally thought. For one sibling group in which I was the Advocate, they often had a board game picked out for us to play before I arrived!

What has surprised you the most about advocacy?

I didn’t realize that Advocates are court-appointed, and that ongoing training in addition to the initial training is part of the Program requirements. I enjoy the continuing education and have found that it enriches my personal life in addition to equipping for advocacy. Training events also provide opportunities to meet with other volunteers and discuss issues germane to our work as Advocates.

What has been the most difficult aspect of volunteering as an Advocate ?

I work full time, so scheduling visits and attending court hearings can be challenging. The company for which I work does allow 16 hours of paid volunteer time per year, so that is a start. Planning, being respectful of the caretaker’s schedule, and developing a working relationship with DFPS contribute to success as an Advocate for children in care.

What would you like the community to know about children/youth in care?

Reunification is the goal for children in care, if possible, because of the trauma of separating from their family.

What have you learned about children/youth in foster care? How has it changed your perspective on the child welfare system?

The children I have met in foster care come from hard places but can blossom in a safe and healthy environment. 

Is there a particular moment or memory that stands out for you?

One of the children for which I was an Advocate was in the fifth grade at the time. Despite her circumstances, she excelled in school and had a special school program in which students showcased their writing. Her kinship caregivers were unable to attend the school event, and the girl asked if I could come in their place. She was beaming when I arrived and proudly read samples of her writing. It was a moving experience. Just recently, I was invited to attend a sporting event for a child I advocated for in a case that closed two years ago! I was honored to attend and am so very proud of the child. 

Anything else you want to share about Child Advocates?

A world in which an Advocate isn’t needed is the ultimate hope. But in the here and now, serving as a Child Advocate can be part of a solution to bridge the divide between a child in need and a child who thrives.

Where Hope Prevails.

Learn more about becoming an Advocate: VOLUNTEER or give online DONATE.