The first time the phone rang it was a man she had never met who lived hundreds of miles away. She was in Puerto Rico and he was in Texas. Milton Rios was given the name and number of a woman that his aunt knew that she thought he might get along with. A widower for 4 years, Milton picked up the phone and dialed Esmeralda. 3 hours later Esmeralda announced to her mother that she had a boyfriend.

17 weeks worth of calls and a hefty phone bill later, Milton flew to Puerto Rico and met her in person. One week later they were married. Few thought it would last. But 10 years later they laugh and exchange smiles like they are still on their honeymoon.

Last spring the call came again for Esmeralda. This time it was in the form of a billboard asking for volunteers to serve abused and neglected children at Child Advocates. She called the number when she got home, and after learning more about it, decided that she couldn't do it. It was too hard. Spanish being her primary language, the barrier would just be too much. "I didn't think I was qualified," Esmeralda remembers. "But then I went to bible study and the leader said that God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies you with the call. My teacher said that when you get the call most people make excuses for why they can't do it. I realized that was me. I wasn't ready before. Now I am. " The next day she called Child Advocates again. This time she filled out the application.

When training class was over she was enthusiastic to start, but still doubting her ability. So she asked Milton to join her. In true love's fashion he told her yes. Milton took the classes, Esmeralda by his side, and on Wednesday Milton was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. They plan on taking a case together. "I am really looking forward to doing this," says Milton. "Couples can do a lot more, especially when there are both boys and girls in the sibling group. Being bilingual, I hope that we can help some children understand what's going on, even if they don't speak English."

Milton and Esmeralda, residents of Holiday, will serve abused and neglected children from the Archer county area. "They are a great team," says Emily Streeton, Executive Director of Child Advocates. "What great role models they will be for our children. They are kind, loving, and extremely giving of themselves. Not only will they be able to help children in Archer County, but they can help children and parents hurdle the language barrier."

Sometimes the phone rings and we don't answer. Esmeralda and Milton have answered their call in a big way. And because they picked up the phone there are children in our area who will have an advocate, a voice in the child welfare system. Although Milton and Esmeralda may serve children from the Hispanic community because of their bilingual ability, Milton says they are ready for anyone or anything. "Kids are kids," he says, "No matter what color or culture they come from."

Child Advocates is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower volunteers to be the voice in court for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers are appointed by the court to be the Guardian ad Litem for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The next class begins September 13 and runs through October 4 th and is followed by another class that begins October 20 and runs through November 5 th.

Additional information regarding Child Advocates and the work they do in the surrounding counties is available at www.casawf.org, or by calling 940-766-0552.