We invite you to meet Georgann Woodring. Georgann celebrated her one-year anniversary as a volunteer in July 2025. Since joining our volunteer team, she has served four children in foster care on three child welfare cases.

Advocacy Specialist Hiroko Schyvincht said that Georgann is a joy to work with on cases, always positive and collaborative.

“Georgann is one of those volunteers who makes an immediate and lasting impact,” Hiroko said. “She is detail-oriented and deeply committed to the children she serves. She is currently managing two cases and does so with reliability and compassion. We all adore Georgann, and we’re grateful she is choosing to volunteer her time with us.”

We asked Georgann to share about her experiences as an Advocate. 

Tell us about your background.

I retired after almost 40 years with Bank of America/US Trust Private Wealth Management in Houston as a senior vice president. Prior to Bank of America, I lived in Corpus Christi and was a Realtor/Manager with a Commercial Real Estate Company.

What sparked your interest in volunteering as an Advocate?

I had two close friends I worked with at BOA who were involved with Child Advocates, one on the board and another as a volunteer. The volunteer loved it and thought it was such a worthwhile cause. After retirement, I was looking for something constructive to do with my time and thought about how much my friend loved being a volunteer for Child Advocates so I checked into it!

Did you have any reservations about volunteering as an Advocate? If so, what helped you move past them?

I did have reservations about how qualified I was to be a volunteer working with children since my husband and I never had any. I have several nieces and nephews I am close to who have children now, and I love being around them all.

What has surprised you most about your experience as an Advocate?

I have been most surprised how committed the CPS caseworkers I have worked with have been and how involved and important their work is. The caseworker on one case I have has a family but spends a lot of time on this case away from her family, including weekends and nights.

What has been the most rewarding part of advocacy work?

When a child ends up in a loving home where they will have a wonderful life.

What do you wish the community better understood about children in crisis?

One of the most important things for the community to understand is that children in crisis are all around us and don’t always look the way people expect—some are silent and withdrawn while others act out. Both behaviors are often a response to instability, trauma, or fear. Teachers, neighbors, volunteers, and everyday people all play a part in bringing some stability and support to children’s worlds.

Through volunteering, what have you learned about children and families in crisis?

I am still fairly new at being an Advocate, so I’m learning with every interaction I have with a child. I’ve learned that things are often uncertain and messy along the way but good outcomes do happen. I also feel that advocacy often helps in clearing communication between all the different people (family, placements, and other outside resources) which also benefits the child. I feel like an Advocate can be an example of stability, security.

Anything else you want to share about Child Advocates?

Everyone I have met who is on staff and works with volunteers like me has been exceptional. It is such a well-run organization.