Melia Graber, Volunteer Coordinator, has worked at CASA for 5 years and is ready to answer your questions about volunteering! She can’t wait to share her knowledge about the experience, get you through the logistics of applying to be a volunteer and make sure you feel prepared to begin your training. Melia is amazed at how the willingness of caring volunteers to give their time and efforts can impact a kid's future while also making each day a little bit better for the child. Away from CASA, Melia laughs everyday at the adventures of her chiweenie and chug puppies, takes as many Restorative Yoga classes as she can and works on perfecting her cookie decorating skills.

Lydia Garcia, Training Director, has worked at CASA for 12 years. She started out as a Child Advocacy Specialist, then Team Leader and now Training Director. She will be a big part of your life during the training process, but you’ll see her again at continuing education opportunities as Lydia always wants you to keep learning and growing in your role as a CASA. Lydia likes CASA because our advocates all come with their own unique experiences and backgrounds and she loves meeting them on the front end of their CASA experience. In her free time, Lydia likes to check out live music, cheer on her Spurs, Cubbies or Packers and hang out with friends and family.

Key Richardson, Program Director, has worked at CASA for more than 9 years and was a CASA volunteer for 2 years before that. You may see Key at CASA 101, at your Swearing-In Ceremony or in the courtroom, and she’ll keep in touch with you through the Advocate Insider email. Key loves that “the combination of incredible volunteers and guidance from our qualified and enthusiastic staff allows CASA to have a huge impact in the lives of children in Travis County.” Key’s life away from CASA stays busy with family and friends and she particularly loves spending time with her 2 grandchildren. She and her husband also enjoy traveling and sailing with good friends.

Sonia Kotecha, Community Outreach Liaison, has worked at CASA for 5 years. You will see her out and about in diverse cross-sections of the Austin community at special events, volunteer fairs, speaking to organizations about the wonderful ways one can get involved with CASA, and maybe even asking you to help with recruiting other great volunteers in the future! Sonia loves the idea that CASA empowers the community to be the voice for children who cannot speak up for themselves. In her free time, Sonia continues to stay active in Austin’s multicultural community and loves to network, keep up with the latest pop culture gossip, and dine-out at local eateries!

Laura Wolf, Executive Director, has worked at CASA for 4 years. You’ll see her at Swearing-In, Closed Case Luncheons and the Volunteer Appreciation Party. Plus, you’ll be hearing from Laura on a regular basis in our monthly update emails and our newsletters. Laura says that she is “inspired by the extraordinary volunteers who come to CASA. I admire the inventive problem-solving of the volunteer-staff teams on their cases. And my colleagues are fun!” When she’s not at CASA, Laura is playing with her 2 dogs, eating Mexican food, reading, and traveling to places with water and cool climates.