We invite you to meet Russ Daniels. An Advocate since Ferbruary 2026, Russ is serving five children in three child welfare cases.

Advocacy Specialist Hiroko Schyvincht said that Russ brings a positive attitude and genuine kindness to every interaction on his cases.

“Russ has a way of making those around him feel supported and encouraged,” Hiroko said. “His joyful spirit and genuine care for others, especially children impacted by trauma, make him a pleasure to work. We’re grateful that he chooses to volunteer with us.”

We asked Russ to share about his experiences as an Advocate. 

Tell us about your background.

I had a working-class childhood experience in a post-war neighborhood, which meant there were lots of families with young kids and we had the best of times simply playing and growing up together. We had family and community in a warm and caring environment. I eventually went on to college at Xavier University and then spent 40 years in corporate America, much of it in executive roles. I was fortunate to retire relatively early and start a new chapter in life, not actually knowing what that would look like. I tried some different things that eventually didn’t develop into a passion and continued to search, not really in a hurry. I recognized that not all kids have the experience I had growing up, and I’ve had a lingering interest to help others if possible but wasn’t sure what this could be. I was introduced to Child Advocates and engaged with some great people and learned this would be a place where I could grow and develop and have an impact on people’s lives.

What sparked your interest in volunteering as an Advocate?

After an early retirement following 40 years in corporate America, I was seeking a new beginning with something that would spark a passion and make a difference in people’s lives, especially those who were victims of circumstances and without the power to effectuate change. I tried some different things in the first year after retirement, all of which were meaningful and interesting but none that really felt right. I saw a banner for Child Advocates at my local health club, and it seemed like it could possibly make sense. I reached out to Shellie*, and things progressed from there. I could tell that it would be a place for me.

*Shellie Tyrrell is the Lead Outreach Specialist for Child Advocates and meets with all potential volunteers to share about the organization and child advocacy.

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

I didn’t really have hesitations per se but needed to learn more to ensure I understood the mission and the opportunities and assess if the fit was real and sustainable. The more I heard and experienced and talked with some great people, the more I felt a conviction and perceived a calling to the work. At some point, like many things in life, one just has to make a decisive leap and move forward, so I did that and Child Advocates has been a huge blessing.

In your own words, how would you describe the role of an Advocate, and why is this work so important for a child in care?

It’s hard to explain and even comprehend the circumstances and state of the children when they come into care. In an instant, their lives are upended and every sense of normalcy is lost. Of course, this can lead to a better place, but it’s not without a long and difficult path.

People around the children come and go, but an Advocate stays faithfully with them through the process and sometimes beyond. We provide a combination of care and nurturing to really know, see, and hear them in a way they’ve perhaps never experienced, along with more concrete skills like legal and procedural acumen to guide them through the gauntlet of activities in the case. Through our visits, notes, and testimony to the court, we amplify the voice of a child who otherwise may never be heard. Since they’re literally not present in the courtroom or with the judge except in certain cases, showing up for them is the most important work.

Since we’re volunteers with a singular mission to discern and communicate what we believe is in the best interest of the child, we have a reputation for being unbiased and objective, which lends credibility with the court. Other testimony and statutes play a large part in the outcomes, but our commitment to these children ensures their voices are heard and their interests are represented. When the world around them is disrupted and people in their lives are changing, the children know we will be there with them, giving comfort and hope and a voice. There’s at least one adult they can trust.

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

I’ve been surprised with the degree and strength of protection afforded to the children on multiple fronts. Ann Marie* spoke about the “kouloura” woven around the children to protect them from the dark things in life and give them a hope and a purpose. I didn’t appreciate just how strong that protection would be with the various government agencies, resources, lawyers, schools, family, and organizations such as Child Advocates and other nonprofits. The children are removed from challenging environments and woven inside an impenetrable place of care and support, hopefully to emerge to a better place.

I’ve also been struck with the quality, passion, and commitment of the Child Advocates staff. The degree of hopefulness is palpable, even when conventional wisdom may suggest otherwise. The confidence of the staff in better outcomes for the children is refreshing and sustains our work as Advocates. I especially appreciate my supervisor, Hiroko, and the support she provides. We also have a lot of fun along the way. And the training is truly amazing. Even as it’s lengthy, it’s impeccable. Working with Child Advocates, you can be sure Julie* and the training team will ensure you are well-equipped.

*Ann Marie Ronsman is the President & CEO of Child Advocates. She shared this analogy at our 2026 Gala and 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Event. Julie Brown, Training & TBRI® Community Education Specialist, leads our Pre-Service Training for all new Advocates. 

What has been the most challenging and rewarding part of advocacy work?

I’m still early in my Advocate career but have learned a lot. The initial challenges were to simply understand how this big machine of processes and procedures actually works, and to understand appropriate actions and plans. Once that was generally understood, the challenge became about coordinating a breadth of contacts in a child’s life to understand more and form a comprehensive view of things. This takes a lot of time and hard work, but a view eventually emerges that leads to relevant actions to bring advocacy to life for the children. When the path leads to parental engagement, there’s a challenge to ensure a balanced and objective view with an element of hope for the future, and one that doesn’t dwell on judgment that could get in the way of helping them move into services and great outcomes.

The greatest mental and emotional challenges come when you doubt or even realize that the desired outcomes aren’t being achieved and difficult decisions need to be made. It can cause one to question whether hope is real, or just naïve and wishful thinking.

A rewarding aspect is when you can work with children to really understand their needs and interests and see your role in communicating and effecting changes that benefit them and likely wouldn’t happen without your advocacy. I can tell that the judge really does care what we think. When she asks questions, she’s listening intently for the answer. Our responses matter.

Another rewarding aspect is working as a team with my supervisor Hiroko and others at Child Advocates, along with CPS and the various attorneys. Hiroko is terrific and always supportive, and I’ve enjoyed all the CPS caseworkers with whom I’ve engaged. I’ve also seen some great foster parents, and marvel at the work they’re doing for these kids. It reminds me that I’m not alone but working as part of a much larger and talented team. I’ve learned a lot.

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

These are really good kids who are just stuck in hard places they didn’t create. Their social abilities and survival behaviors may seem unusual or even shocking to some, but the context of their experiences is different as well, and difficult for most of us to understand. They don’t need our judgment; they need our love and support. Every member of the community has something of value to give, each in their own way based on their own resources, gifts, and interests. But the giving is needed and worth it. We can create generational change, but only if we don’t shy away from the difficult and messy work. Get involved.

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

For the most part, these families didn’t consciously decide to go down the path they’re on. Somehow life happened, even if it resulted from their own decisions and choices. They’re likewise not likely to achieve better outcomes without protection and support. With the right approach and assistance, the families can have a new beginning.

Is there a particular moment from your advocacy that stands out to you?

In one case, the family was maneuvering to return the child from foster care to the care of the grandmother. A private attorney had also been enlisted for this purpose. We were questioned and we strenuously objected due to concerns for safety, and the judge ordered that the child was “not to be moved without the express consent of both the Attorney ad Litem and Guardian ad Litem.” It was the first time I appreciated the power of our work and the trust the judge has in us. She believed that what we said was true and accurate, even as she didn’t personally know.

Anything else you want to share about Child Advocates?

I’m grateful to be part of the team and trusted to represent the organization and the children and families in care. Child Advocates is its people, and the people are incredible. In a long career with a Fortune 500 company, never have I seen this level of commitment and passion to a mission. Thank you for receiving me.