Cynthia Gage, native of Wortham, Texas, was honored posthumously with the Judge John Delaney Distinguished Service Award by Voices for Children, a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, at its recent 2023 Gala, “Change a Child’s Story.”
Amy Faulkner (left), Executive Director of Voices for Children, with the Cynthia Gage family at the recent presentation of the Judge John Delany Distinguished Service Award. Pictured with Faulkner are Cynthia’s family (l-r) Kathryn (Katie) Gage, daughter; Robert (Bob) Gage, husband; and Brent Gage, son. (Photo courtesy of Mark Sykes Photography)
When presenting the award, Amy Faulkner, Executive Director of Voices for Children, said, “The Judge John Delaney Distinguished Service Award is not given annually, but only awarded when there is an individual who is a true representation of the heart of Voices for Children. Cynthia Gage certainly meets this criteria, having displayed great dedication to improving the lives of children in the child welfare system through many years of tireless service.
The award was accepted by Cynthia’s husband, Robert (Bob) Gage, and her daughter Kathryn (Katie) and son Brent. Katie Gage remarked, “It was an honor for my family to accept the Distinguished Service Award from Voices for Children on behalf of my mother. It was heartbreaking that she wasn’t there to receive the award herself as I know she would have loved the gala and been so honored and thrilled to be recognized for her life of service, her love of kids, and her heart of gold.”
Cynthia Gage lived and worked in Freestone County for most of her life. First a teacher, then a school counselor, she spent more than 20 years pouring her caring and generous spirit into the lives of thousands of children in the Teague and Fairfield ISDs. After retiring in 2008, Cynthia joined the Freestone County Child Protective Services Advisory Board which opened her eyes to the struggles of children and families involved with CPS.
In 2019, she became a CASA volunteer and later served on the Voices for Children staff raising awareness for the need for CASA volunteers in the Bi-Stone area. In 2022, Cynthia was a founding member of the newly formed Bi-Stone CASA program serving Freestone and Limestone Counties. Representatives from the Bi-Stone CASA program attended the gala in support of the Gage family and to honor Cynthia’s dedication to creating a CASA program specifically for Freestone and Limestone Counties.
Cynthia Gage, lifelong resident of Freestone County, was honored posthumously with the Judge John Delany Distinguished Service Award by Voices for Children CASA at its recent gala.
“We are committed to carry on the work started by Cynthia Gage,” said Ashley Gomez, Executive Director of CASA of Freestone & Limestone Counties, “and we encourage anyone interested in helping with his effort to contact us.” The new CASA program is currently housed at the Mexia Campus of Navarro College. Ms. Gomez can be reached via email at casabistone@gmail.com or by phone at 254-600-9909.
