Denise Cartas
CASA of Terrebonne is proud to introduce Denise Cuartas. Denise, along with her advocacy partner, was honored as the 2023 Rookie of the Year. She has been happily married to her wonderful husband, Pedro, for nearly 22 years. Together, they have a 16-year-old son, Rafi, whom they adopted at birth. Watching Rafi grow into a young man has been one of Denise’s greatest joys. Their family’s journey has been guided and blessed by their faith in God.
Denise spends much of her time teaching Bible study, sewing, and working diligently on her CASA case. She states her heart has always been drawn to helping others, especially children, which led to her involvement with CASA. Denise has been a CASA volunteer for two years now and has had the privilege of working on a case with five siblings. This case keeps her incredibly busy, as each of the children is in a separate foster home across the state. She says that even though it is very challenging, it is also rewarding to know that she is helping make a difference in their lives.
Originally from Houma, Louisiana, Denise left at 18 to explore life beyond her hometown. However, after Hurricane Katrina devastated their business and home in New Orleans, they found themselves back in Houma. What seemed like a loss at the time turned out to be one of the greatest blessings in their life—a chance to be near family and experience God's providence in ways she never expected.
An interesting fact about Denise is her love for Korean dramas—an addiction, some might say! When she’s not busy with her advocacy work, teaching, or sewing, you can probably find her catching up on the latest episodes of a good K-drama.
In her CASA case work, Denise considers herself incredibly fortunate to have Elaine Beyer as her co-CASA. Elaine is truly a blessing, and their partnership is exceptional. They complement each other perfectly and firmly believe that their success would not be possible without one another. Their teamwork is indispensable as they work tirelessly to ensure that the children in care are well supported and effectively advocated for. Together, they cover every area of need and concern with a seamless and collaborative approach.
Denise states, “If you're considering becoming a CASA advocate, I encourage you to take the leap. If you have a heart for children and a desire to make a real impact in their foster experience, there is no better time to get involved. There are countless children in need of someone who cares, and I believe that God pairs us with the children He intends for us to help. With this mindset, my work as a CASA advocate is not just work—it's a joy, an honor, and a privilege.”
