Emma (not her real name) entered foster care due to a tumultuous and unsafe home environment. One of her greatest sources of comfort and joy is singing in her middle school choir. This past fall, Emma’s foster placement changed unexpectedly, and she was placed in an emergency setting. While daily transportation to her school remained possible, her ability to participate in choir—especially evening rehearsals and performances—was uncertain.
CASA Ellen stepped in to ensure Emma could take part in her December concert. She made phone calls and secured the necessary attire: black pants, black shoes, and a school shirt. However, getting Emma to rehearsals and the performance required creative problem-solving. Due to insurance regulations, CASA volunteers cannot directly transport foster children. Instead, Ellen arranged for Uber transportation, accompanying Emma to and from rehearsals and the concert.
Ellen shared, “Emma was all smiles during rehearsal, excitedly showing me the music on her iPad and singing the songs for me.” On the day of the concert, Ellen observed, “Emma kept saying how nervous she was, and I assured her that was normal—especially for her first concert. After the concert, she was incredibly proud of herself, as shown by her beaming smile!”
Thanks to Ellen’s dedication, Emma not only performed in her concert but also experienced the joy and sense of accomplishment that came with it.
