Hope in Action is a series to highlight the aspects of our volunteer work. Advocacy for a child, whether in child welfare, juvenile justice, or truancy systems, covers several activities from court hearings to visits with a child to conversations with parents. Each month, we share a story of small (or big!) moments from one of our cases that exemplify what advocacy can mean to children and their families.

THE BOOKS THAT BIND US

An avid reader, 17-year-old Nevaeh* was beyond excited about a new dystopian book series she wanted to read. She asked her Advocate, Bianca*, if she could send her the Unwind series by Neal Shusterman before their next visit. Neveah didn’t want to wait!

Her enthusiasm for the series was infectious—Bianca ordered two copies of the first book, one for each of them. Bianca couldn’t resist diving into a world Nevaeh was so eager to explore.

“I read the first few chapters, and I was hooked,” Bianca said. “They are so well-written, and they cover so many topics relevant to kids, teens, young adults, and parents.”

BOOK CLUB FOR TWO

When Bianca told her that she’d started the book as well, Navaeh was thrilled that an adult was reading her suggestion!

Inspired by Navaeh’s excitement, Bianca suggested they launch a mini-book club just for them to discuss the series, and Naveah loved the idea. At their next visit, the two discussed characters, motives, plot, and most importantly, their own thoughts about the topics explored in the book.

The series was more than a fictional realm—it was a mirror to real-life experiences, sparking conversations that Bianca and Nevaeh otherwise couldn’t have had.

“We have this relationship where we don’t have any common friends or family, no common ground,” Bianca said. “Reading the same book is a way to connect in a world that is not her life or mine. It turned out to be a rewarding and bonding experience for both of us.”

UNLOCKING WORLDS WITH WORDS

Due to several moves while she was in foster care, Nevaeh was placed several hundred miles from Montgomery County. In between their in-person visits, Bianca and Nevaeh kept in touch via phone, text, and video calls, but the distance sometimes made meaningful talks a challenge. The book club discussions helped bridge the gap between visits, allowing them to talk about Nevaeh’s experiences in a way that felt safe and engaging.

“The book was a jumping point to address more serious issues,” Bianca said. “We could talk about the experience the character was having and use that to talk about what Nevaeh was feeling in her situation. She’s pretty open, but it gave us the option to talk about tough topics without it being about her directly.”

It was more than discussing characters and plots; it was about connecting over shared emotions, perspectives, and, most importantly, understanding each other’s worlds a bit better.

HOPE THROUGH CONNECTION AND CONVERSATION

Bianca encourages other Advocates to use reading a child’s favorite book or one they want to read to build a connection and talk about tough topics.

“It works best if the kid directs the book selection,” Bianca said. “A child who is not a big reader may not know what to choose, but if you know what they’re interested in, you can find a book together. Let the child take the lead, so they feel like they’re driving the conversation.”

When Bianca sent the book series to Nevaeh, she gave her more than reading material for a weekend. The book club sparked conversations that helped Nevaeh’s Advocate understand her internal world while also providing a sense of belonging for the teen.

*Names changed for privacy