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 a small (or big!) moment from one of our cases that exemplifies what advocacy can mean to children and their families.

SUMMER SLIDE

The endless, carefree days of summer can be magic for a child—laughter at the park, splashes in the pool, and melting ice cream cones in hand. While children revel in the carefree days, the relaxed pace can lead to the “summer slide,” a time when the lack of educational activities can result in a learning loss. Youth from all ages and backgrounds are at risk during the unstructured summer months. However, kids experiencing truancy may already struggle to keep up with their peers academically, so any additional knowledge decline can result in a child feeling discouraged or hopeless when they begin the new school year.

Our Student Success Advocate Christina* wanted to help prevent this learning loss for incoming sixth grader, Molly*. Christina first met Molly as a struggling fifth grader with chronic absences when she was assigned to her case in truancy court in early 2024. With the support of Christina, her school, and her family, Molly turned around her attendance record in the fifth grade and found friendship and success at school, including being named Student of the Week!

At the end of fifth grade, both Molly and her mom asked the judge to allow Christina to remain appointed to her truancy case through the summer and beginning of the 2024-25 school year so that Molly could start sixth grade with the support and encouragement of her Advocate!

DIVING INTO A GOOD BOOK

To keep Molly engaged in reading over the summer, Christina brought a popular children’s chapter book as a gift when she visited with Molly and her mom in July.

“Her reaction to the book was immediately positive,” Christina said. “It was as if she’d never received her own book before—her excitement was through the roof! I knew she was ready to get started as soon as I left the visit.”

With new book in hand, Molly promised Christina she would read the book and share a summary at their next visit. Christina set up a rewards system to encourage Molly to not only start the book but finish it as well. Molly was excited for the chance to earn a gift card of her choice!

PROUD MOM AND ADVOCATE

Within a few days, Christina received a text from Molly’s mom, full of pride. When Molly’s mom got home from work, she discovered that not only was Molly making significant progress on finishing the novel, but she was also annotating the book and adding notes with her thoughts and observations. She was putting the language arts skills she learned in the fifth grade to work!

Christina quickly texted Molly to keep up the good work, and Molly responded with a thumbs-up!

Before the next visit, Molly finished the book and earned her summer reading reward.

HOPE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Before school started in August, Christina met Molly and her mom at a favorite store to go back-to-school shopping, and Molly got to use the gift card she earned for finishing the book to purchase some items for herself!

Christina also brought along a new backpack filled with school supplies provided by generous donors to our Back-to-School Supply Drive this summer!

After the first week of school, Christina received a text from Molly: the school year is off to a great start, and her favorite class is Theater!

*Names changed for privacy