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 Dream with Detours

When 15-year-old Ryder* told his Advocate, Lisa*, that he wanted to attend his church’s summer camp, they both knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy.

Ryder was on formal probation with an ankle monitor, which ruled out all water activities at camp. And even if he could get permission to attend, his single-parent family didn’t have the resources to cover the cost.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Since stepping in as Ryder’s Advocate in early 2025, Lisa had watched this justice-involved youth work tirelessly to meet the conditions of his probation. Creative and resilient, Ryder had found a safe space at his church—somewhere to connect with peers and thrive. Lisa saw the upcoming summer camp as an invaluable opportunity for him to deepen those connections before starting school in the fall.

Mobilizing Support

She contacted her Advocacy Specialist at Child Advocates, and together they began mapping out a plan to get Ryder to camp. His probation officer supported the idea, but there were conditions. Ryder would need to meet a set of goals in order to have his ankle monitor removed early.

“Originally, he was supposed to keep his ankle monitor on until the end of July,” Lisa said. “But they can’t swim with the ankle monitor. Plus, it’s embarrassing to wear in front of the other kids.”

While Ryder focused on meeting his probation goals, Lisa turned her attention to funding. She reached out to the church for a grant, but by then, all available funds had already been distributed. Undeterred, Lisa submitted a request to Child Advocates’ Sunshine Fund—a grant designed to meet the needs of children served by the program.

A few days later, her Advocacy Specialist called with great news: the funding was approved. Ryder could go to camp.

Showing Up at Every Step

When the parent meeting for camp arrived, Lisa showed up. She knew Ryder’s dad, a single father juggling work, wouldn’t be able to attend, so she took notes and snapped photos of the presentation to share with him.

As the days counted down, Ryder kept working hard—logging community service hours and hitting every benchmark set by probation. His efforts paid off. The ankle monitor came off before camp.

The night before departure, Ryder called Lisa in a panic—he was missing a few supplies. She met his dad at Walmart to pick up the last-minute essentials.

The next day, Lisa got a text from Ryder’s dad: He made it. On the bus. Headed to camp.

The Power of Showing Up

Since their first meeting, Lisa has become a steady presence in Ryder’s life. She still remembers the intake form he filled out back in early 2025. When asked how Child Advocates could support him, he wrote: Nothing. Just be there when I need someone to talk to.

That’s exactly what Lisa has done. They talk nearly every day. Sometimes, he even calls her via video so they can chat “face-to-face.” She’s his biggest cheerleader when he’s making progress and his committed supporter when things get hard.

“Kids will never forget how you made them feel,” Lisa said. “You are that dominant voice telling them they have value and worth. As long as they have that one person who believes in them, they have a chance at building a better future.”

Voice of Hope

Earlier in the case, Ryder completed the Hope Scale, a predictor of well-being in individuals affected by trauma, illness, and resiliency. He rated himself highly.

“This reflects his positive attitude and generally strong ability to cope with stress,” Lisa said. “His outlook on life is uplifting, and I’m confident that with continued support, he will continue to grow and thrive.”

Ryder’s story isn’t perfect, but it’s real, complete with celebrations and setbacks. As his Advocate, Lisa has become a steady voice of hope, a persistent reminder that imperfect stories can still unfold into a better tomorrow.

*Names changed for privacy