Board Voice: Leah Barton

Leah Barton was nominated for the Child Advocates board in early 2019 at the recommendation of a former board member. She very gladly accepted the nomination, explaining she knew the impact Child Advocates had on children in foster care, and has been an invaluable voice on our Finance Committee ever since. 
 

She knew about Child Advocates and our work in the community long before she made her way to the board. In fact, fifteen years ago, she attended an event put on by Child Advocates’ Young Professionals for Children where she met her now husband!  

Leah’s serves on our board with our mission in the forefront of her focus. She said that one of the words that comes to mind when she thinks about Child Advocates is “consistency”. “Being in foster care can introduce so many layers of change,” said Leah. “Knowing that their [a child’s] advocate will be by their side no matter what can be an ‘island in the storm’ as they go through the foster care system and all of the associated uncertainties about their future.”  

When she’s not working with Child Advocates or running her own consulting practice, she strives to make a difference in the Houston community through other avenues as well. Leah serves on the board of St. Paul’s Methodist Foundation, the advisory boards for ProUnitas and the UH Institute for Research on Women, Gender, and Sexuality, and on the steering committee for the opening of the new Houston Botanic Gardens. Now, as a result of the pandemic, her work and service are blended with the teaching her first grader at home as well! 

Leah’s dedication to the Houston community and to Child Advocates is incredible. We are so thankful to have her voice guiding us as we continue to work to provide an advocate to every child in Harris County who needs one. Leah relayed, “Every child deserves to be in a safe and loving home – but unfortunately that’s not possible for too many Houston kids.  Until it is, I’m very glad that Child Advocates can stand by our children and help guide them through these very difficult times in their lives.”