Meet the team - Coastal Bend CASA

MEET OUR ADVISORS:

CASA Advocate Advisors are experienced professionals who supervise and support volunteer advocates appointed by the court to represent the best interests of children in foster care due to abuse or neglect.

They serve as mentors, trainers, and case consultants to ensure each child’s advocate is equipped to navigate complex legal and social systems. We are so lucky to have an amazing staff of Advisors, and we are happy to highlight them.

DARRA WALKER

What does your role involve day-to-day?

You know, it’s funny you ask this because I asked the exact same question during my interview for this role, and I kid you not, all of the advisors just started laughing. No one gave a real answer, and at the time I thought it was the strangest response. Now, two and a half years into my role as an Advocate Advisor, I audibly laughed reading this question and I also totally get it! Yes, there are always the day-to-day tasks, emails, meetings, managing time, and keeping up with deadlines etc. But at the heart of this work, we are navigating the human aspects of trauma, grief, healing, sobriety, and all things foster care, arguably one of the most unpredictable spaces to work in. I start every day with a well-planned to-do list and high hopes of being wildly productive. But over time, I’ve learned the importance of building in flexibility and being ready to pivot at a moment’s notice to handle whatever fire pops up, figuratively and sometimes almost literally! This role can be hectic, chaotic, and emotionally heavy, but every single day, I’m honored to do this work and privileged to support such a dedicated and passionate team of child advocates.

How did you get started in this industry?

I volunteered with CASA for about seven years, and to this day, it remains one of the most rewarding and cathartic experience of my life. Even during times when my personal life felt chaotic or upside down, I felt an intrinsic pull to stay involved in this work. In many ways, it helped keep me grounded. Child welfare has touched so many areas of my life, and I carry perspectives from multiple vantage points. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where or when I first became an advocate, but it feels like it’s always been part of who I am. What I do know with absolute certainty is that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I can’t imagine doing anything else!

What’s something people may not realize about your job?

Something people may not realize about my job is just how emotionally layered it is. It’s not just case files, court reports, or checklists; we’re walking alongside people during some of the most painful and uncertain moments of their lives. Part of my role is supporting the volunteers who are showing up in those same spaces. I’m there to help guide, encourage, and hold space for them as they carry out this meaningful and life-changing work. The emotional weight doesn’t end at the office door; it stays with you. It is also what makes it so powerful.

What motivates you at work?

I’m motivated by the impact this work has on real lives, and for me, it’s also deeply personal. I’ve experienced the child welfare system from multiple angles, and that perspective keeps me grounded in why this work matters. Supporting volunteers who show up for children and families during some of their hardest moments is both an honor and a responsibility I don’t take lightly. On the toughest days, I remind myself that if we can make even one moment better for a child, it’s worth it. I’m also motivated by the chance to help others navigate something I know, on a personal level, can feel overwhelming and isolating, because I’ve seen firsthand what a difference that kind of support can make. As a dear friend and brilliant human being often says, ‘more support is always better.’ That simple truth continues to guide the way I show up in this work.

Personal Passion and Interests:

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy spending time with my family, and I always have some kind of creative project going. My current ADHD hyperfixation is watercolors. It’s been a fun and relaxing outlet, and as a realist, I know I won’t be quitting my day job to sell my art anytime soon. I’m also an avid reader and ironically, I’ve developed a love for all the classic literature I couldn’t stand in school. You’ll almost never find me without my Kindle nearby!

Any fun hidden talents or hobbies?

I’m not sure I have many hidden talents. If I think I’m good at something, I’m probably already telling anyone who’ll listen. Balance, right? Because I definitely have plenty of shortcomings too. That said, I am double-jointed and can spin my hands a full 360 degrees… so if circus life ever calls, I guess I’m halfway there!

What’s a dream your currently chasing?

Right now, I’m chasing the dream of creating more balance in my life staying grounded while still showing up fully for the work I love. I want to keep growing as a leader and advocate, while also making space for creativity, joy, and time with the people who matter most to me. Lately, that’s included a fitness and wellness journey to improve my health so I can be active, present, and around for my kids and all the things I love. It’s a work in progress, but it all feels like a dream worth chasing.

Fun & Lighthearted

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

I don’t sing. Trust me, no one wants that. I couldn’t carry a tune even if you handed me a bucket with handles. That said, I’m always the loudest cheerleader in the crowd and will absolutely belt it out from the audience like my life depends on it. Sometimes showing up with heart matters more than hitting the right notes.

If your life were a movie, who would play you?

Lucille Ball, hands down. Not because I’m a comedic genius, but because she had this perfect blend of chaos, charm, resilience, and heart. Like her, I can be a bit of a walking disaster some days, tripping over my own feet, getting into situations that make people shake their heads, but I always mean well, I love deeply, and I’ll do whatever it takes for the people I care about. Plus, I’ve definitely had my fair share of ‘I Love Lucy’ moments, both at work and at home!

Coffee or Tea-and how do you take it?

Coffee, black. Tea, unsweetened.

Reflection & Inspiration:

What’s the best advice you’ve ever recieved?

The best advice I’ve ever received was to “show up anyway.” You won’t always feel ready, confident, or in control, but showing up with heart, honesty, and the willingness to try is often more powerful than having all the answers.

Who inspires you? (inside or outside of work)

I’m inspired by the people who keep showing up, especially when it’s hard. That includes the advocates I work with, who pour so much heart into this work, and the caregivers and families who fight for better futures despite the odds. I’m also deeply inspired by my own children. They remind me every day why this all matters, why connection matters, and why it’s worth doing the hard things with love.

How do you define success?

I define success as making a meaningful impact while staying true to who you are. It’s not about titles, numbers, or recognition; it’s about knowing that you showed up with integrity, led with heart, and made someone’s path a little lighter. For me, success looks like being the kind of leader my team feels supported by, the kind of advocate who helps others feel seen, and the kind of parent my kids can be proud of. If I can say I helped, I mattered, then I stayed grounded in purpose and to me that is success.