By Claudia Perez Rivas | Kingsville Independent News
A candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday, April 14, at the Kleberg County Courthouse in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month, bringing the community together to remember children affected by abuse and to raise awareness about prevention efforts.
The event, organized by Brush Country CASA, is scheduled for 6 p.m. and is open to the public.
The vigil is part of a broader series of events held throughout April to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and raise awareness across the region.
A mission rooted in local history
Brush Country CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, was founded in 2001 with the goal of giving a voice to children involved in the child welfare system.
The organization’s origins are tied to a case that deeply impacted the Kleberg County community more than two decades ago. In response, local leaders worked to bring a CASA program to the area, creating a system where trained volunteers could advocate for children navigating abuse and neglect cases.
Today, the organization serves five counties, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy and Kleberg, through a network of trained volunteers who are appointed to represent the best interests of children in court and throughout their time in care.
What CASA volunteers do
CASA volunteers are assigned to individual cases and serve as a consistent presence for children whose lives may otherwise be marked by instability.
They gather information, monitor a child’s well-being, and provide recommendations to the court based on what they believe is in the child’s best interest.
Volunteers also work with families, educators and service providers to help ensure that a child’s educational, medical and emotional needs are being met.
“The main goal is always family unification,” Outreach Coordinator Jaylene Garza said in a previous interview. “We are not about breaking up families. We are about hoping to reunify these parents and make sure they have the resources they need.”
Ongoing need in the community
Like many CASA programs across the country, Brush Country CASA continues to face a need for more volunteers.
At times, not every child in the system is able to be paired with an advocate, despite the organization’s goal of ensuring each child has someone to represent their voice.
Volunteers commit to visiting children regularly and staying involved throughout the duration of a case, which can last a year or longer.
Garza has said that consistency is one of the most important roles a CASA volunteer can provide.
“They are required to visit them once a month, face to face, and really look at what is in the best interest of the child,” she said.
The organization continues to host regular information sessions for community members interested in becoming CASA volunteers.
A community moment of reflection
The April 14 vigil is part of a broader effort to bring attention to child abuse prevention and to recognize the role communities play in supporting vulnerable children.
For organizers, the event is not only about remembrance, but also about encouraging awareness, compassion and involvement.
Residents attending the vigil will gather at the courthouse, where a memorial marker already stands as a reminder of the importance of advocacy and intervention.
Organizers say continued community involvement remains essential to ensuring every child in the system has someone to advocate for them.
Event details
The Candlelight Vigil will take place:
- Date: April 14, 2026
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Location: Kleberg County Courthouse
For more information, contact Brush Country CASA at 361-595-7233.
How to get involved
Brush Country CASA is a volunteer-based organization and continues to seek community members interested in becoming advocates for children.
More information about volunteering is available at brushcountrycasa.org.