By Sara Blake
Born and raised in Austin, Jacob developed a strong sense of community from both of his parents. As a member of the Austin Police Department, his father built relationships across neighborhoods and within the Spanish-speaking community mentoring young men. Jacob’s mother spent countless hours helping children at church, at the skate park, and by running a daycare from home. Together, the family served at the Launchpad Project in East Austin and even helped advocate for Jacob’s childhood friends who were involved in the child welfare system. 
“My parents’ shared heart for kids meant that growing up we always had kids of all ages around. It made me realize how thankful I was to have a stable home and family, and it’s a big part of what gave me the confidence to apply for the role of CASA volunteer,” Jacob explains. “My parents always made us aware that most people are struggling in ways we might not see. They taught us to help however we could, even if it was just being a friend showing up for someone.”
Jacob studied philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin and now works at a disability law firm, a role that has motivated him to apply for law school. He spends his free time rock climbing, running, and even plans to start competing in road biking. At home, his golden retriever, Thor, keeps him company. 
The youngest of four, Jacob is now an uncle to several nieces and nephews (who he loves to take rock climbing) and who partly inspired him to become an advocate. The other influence was his girlfriend, who began as a volunteer herself and is now a Child Advocacy Specialist.
“I was honestly intimidated,” he admits. “I didn’t think I’d make the cut.”
“Training felt a bit like taking a college course,” he recalls. “I knew the work was serious, but the training really set the tone. It was jarring at times because you see the darker side of things you might not think about, but I appreciated how thorough the screening and training was. It showed how much thought and care goes into protecting kids.”
In Jacob’s first case, he was able to connect with a child through video games and sports. “I immediately saw how bright they were,” he says. “I was relieved that I was someone they felt happy and comfortable around.”
On another case, Jacob provided a listening ear for a guardian who needed to share some hard information. “It was clear they just needed someone to talk to and discuss their concerns with. I’m thankful they trusted us, especially since it affected the outcome of the case.”
The longer he has been an advocate, the more Jacob sees the complexities of each family’s situation. “So many parents are working hard to create stability for their kids with hardly any support. I witnessed that through my dad’s job as a kid, but it’s even more evident to me now.”
The volunteer experience has been even more meaningful than he expected. “I didn’t realize how rewarding it would be to close a case and see a good outcome,” says Jacob. “Even during difficult moments, we get to be part of real change.” 
At its core, he believes the role of a CASA volunteer is simple: just show up and listen. “We all just need someone to hear us, don’t we?” asks Jacob. “At the end of the day, CASA is just people helping people... people helping kids.”
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