Meet Aging-Out Prevention & Preparation Specialist Dapril Sheppard-Kemp

Why did you decide to come work for CASA? I decided to come work for CASA because I have always felt called to advocate for children, especially those in foster care who need consistent, caring adults in their corner.

What is your professional and educational background? I earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth and an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Dallas College, in Irving. I initially began as a CASA advocate in 2018. As of January 2022, I became a part of the CASA’s staff. I have over 20 plus years of experience working with children in different capacities. Prior to joining the CASA family, I was a small business owner and educator. For nine years, I worked with children with behavior issues, learning disabilities and other special needs.

What first caused you to get involved with CASA? My work with children and families showed me how important it is for every child to have someone who will speak up for their best interests. CASA’s mission aligns closely with my passion for helping children feel safe, supported, and seen.

What keeps you coming back every month in helping CASA? What keeps me coming back is knowing that this work truly matters. Every child deserves stability, hope, and a voice, and being part of that process is both meaningful and deeply rewarding.

What has been the most rewarding part of being on staff at CASA? The most rewarding part of being on staff at CASA is seeing the difference advocacy makes in a child’s life. Knowing that our work helps bring stability, permanency, and hope to children is incredibly fulfilling.

Please share a special moment with us about your work with CASA volunteers or supporters. One special moment that stands out to me is seeing our volunteers and supporters come together around the needs of a child. I have watched volunteers give their time so faithfully, while donors and community partners stepped forward to provide resources that made a real difference. Moments like that remind me that this work is truly a team effort. As a specialist, it is incredibly rewarding to support volunteers in their advocacy and to help connect community generosity to CASA’s mission. Seeing that shared commitment to children is what makes this work so meaningful.

What would you say to a potential supporter? I would say that support CASA is an investment in the well-being of children in our community. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness, every act of support helps ensure that children in foster care have someone advocating for their future.

Why do you think it’s important for your local community to support CASA and what they do? It is important for the community to support CASA because children in foster care are part of our community, and their future impacts all of us. When a community comes together to protect and advocate for children, it creates stronger, healthier outcomes for everyone.

Do you want to share some encouraging words to our volunteers? To our volunteers, thank you for your compassion, commitment, and willingness to stand beside children during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Your advocacy brings hope, healing, and the reminder that these children are never alone.