CASA volunteer Amy Lipton is working with a teenager, Primrose (name changed to protect her identity), who was removed from her dysfunctional home a few years ago. She was on track to be adopted, but the prospective family unexpectedly withdrew. Following this disappointment, Primrose was placed in a group home for girls facing similar challenges and assigned a CASA for the first time.
While settling into her new environment—joining an athletic team and beginning to rebuild her life—Primrose was dismayed to learn that three course credits from her previous high school had not transferred to the new one. Without those credits, she would be required to attend an extra semester, delaying her graduation by half a year, or go to summer school. Determined to help, CASA Amy contacted Primrose’s former school to investigate the issue. She identified the missing credits and worked to explain the circumstances that prevented Primrose from completing a final assignment on time in one class.
After many conversations and a visit to the school to speak with the guidance counselor, the teacher agreed to revise the grade report, and the three credits were successfully transferred. For Primrose, who has experienced so much loss, this was a meaningful victory. Thanks to Amy’s persistence and advocacy, she is now back on track to graduate on time with her peers.
