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.

A Removal

Child Protective Services removed teenage siblings Makayla* and Cody* from their mother’s house after allegations of physical abuse against Makayla. While at the home to investigate the allegations, the caseworker also determined the home was not livable—there were no working utilities or bathrooms. In addition to the lack of facilities, the home was in disarray due to hoarding and much of the furniture was unusable.

The family had a history with CPS with allegations of physical abuse of the children and parental substance abuse. Their mom also struggled with mental health issues that often left her unable to care for herself, her children, or the home. Law Enforcement had been called to the address several times over many years and was considered a known drug house. The siblings sometimes stayed with a neighbor so they could take a shower and get a meal, but the neighbor was unable to take guardianship of the teens.

an Advocate

Relieved to leave the home, both Makayla and Cody asked their caseworker if they could stay with their older sister, Danielle*, who was an adult. Danielle and her husband lived nearby with their two young daughters. Though the siblings all had a good relationship, Danielle was not close with her mom due to abuse she’d suffered as a child. As a mom with two young kids, Danielle had distanced herself from her mother’s erratic and dangerous behavior.

Danielle and her husband opened their home to be the kinship placement for Makayla and Cody while the case went through the child welfare court system. Within a few days of moving in, a woman arrived at their house named Gwen*. She said she was their court-appointed special Advocate and explained the role she would play in their case, getting to know them, their parents, family, and other important people in their lives so she could make recommendations to the judge.

The Case

Their father had never been involved in their lives and would not respond to CPS or the Advocate’s efforts to reach him. Their mom continued to struggle with her mental health and substance abuse, testing positive for illegal substances throughout the case. She was unable to complete any services or cooperate with the Department, and her visits with Makayla and Cody became sporadic. Their mom was not making any progress toward establishing a safe home for the family.

With Cody almost 18, he aged out of foster care but remained living with Danielle, her family, and Makayla. With Gwen’s help, he applied to local colleges and financial assistance—he was excited for his future.

With Cody no longer a part of the case, all parties worked to establish the best path forward for Makayla. A jury trial terminated the rights of both parents. Though Mom appealed, which delayed the legal process to determine a permanent home for Makayla, everyone involved, including Makayla and her Advocate, all wanted the same permanency goal: adoption by her older sister.

Danielle and her husband were safe family connections, and Makayla loved being a “big sister” to her young nieces. Danielle and her husband continued to work on their efforts to adopt Makayla while the appeal went through the necessary legal systems. After the appeal was denied, the road to adoption was free of any hurdles.

Normalcy for a teen girl

Despite her tumultuous home for most of her life, Makayla had always maintained good grades, and she continued to earn As and Bs in school while safe in care. Gwen turned 16 during the case—she worked to get her driver’s license and bought a car with her own money from her after-school job. She proudly showed Gwen the vehicle at one of their monthly visits.

When Makayla told Gwen she wanted to go to prom, Gwen and Danielle worked to get her a dress and accessories. Makayla invited Gwen over the day of prom to help her get ready. Gwen helped her create an updo hairstyle.

As the case neared the end, Gwen worked to get a laptop for Makayla so that she could complete her homework and be ready to apply to colleges when the time came.

Hope with family

Through nearly three long years of uncertainty, Gwen stood by Makayla’s side until the final court hearing where Danielle adopted her little sister. The entire family attended the ceremony, including Cody, to celebrate. Surrounded with family and secure in her home, Makayla’s hope for her future soared.

*Names changed for privacy