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 Letter That Changed Everything: Madison’s Thank-You to Her Advocate

This summer, as part of a reflective writing exercise at the Montgomery County Juvenile Detention Center, youth were invited to write thank-you letters to someone who had made a difference in their lives. Among the heartfelt notes was one from Madison*—a justice-involved teen—who chose to write to her Court-Appointed Special Advocate, Kristen*.

Building Trust, One Visit at a Time

In her letter, Madison admitted that when she first met Kristen, she didn’t know what to think. She was guarded, skeptical, and unsure of what an Advocate even did. Trust didn’t come easily.

“At first, I was hesitant to even have a conversation with you,” Madison wrote. “Now, I’m begging for you to come visit me.”

Kristen credits consistently showing up for Madison with helping her break through Madison’s uncertainties about having an Advocate.

“I was in contact with her and her mom pretty often,” Kristen said. “I kept reiterating the fact that I was there for her no matter what. We celebrated every victory she had, no matter how small.”

A Letter of Gratitude

Her letter also expressed deep appreciation for Kristen’s unwavering presence, her patience, and her care.

“I hope you guys know that you have made a difference in my life,” Madison wrote. “Just to have someone to talk to is what I needed, and it’s like you knew that.”

For Kristen, it was affirming to receive that letter. “All the hard things she went through, and there was a glimmer that I was doing something right,” she said. “It was humbling to know that I was someone that she felt safe with. I just wanted her to receive the support she needed.”

An Unexpected Beginning

Kristen’s journey as Madison’s Advocate began unexpectedly. She first saw Madison in juvenile court while advocating for another youth. Something about Madison’s demeanor—her sadness, her anger, the pain just beneath the surface—drew Kristen in. “I told my Advocacy Specialist that day, ‘If she needs an Advocate, I’m available.’ I could just tell she had so much potential, but she was stuck and upset.”

From the beginning, the road was tough. Madison was resistant, closed off, and suspicious of Kristen’s intentions.

“She thought I was trying to send her to placement,” Kristen said. But Kristen kept showing up, through detention stays, home visits, and court hearings.

Supporting the Whole Family

She stayed in contact with Madison’s mother, too, offering support to the whole family.

“Parents often get overlooked,” Kristen said. “They’re going through their own struggles. If we can help reduce their stress, they can better support their kids.”

Because of Madison’s initial distrust, Kristen weighed her words carefully and sometimes avoided questions that might anger the teen. Kristen remembers the moment things shifted: “She told me, ‘Kristen, if you want to ask me something, just ask. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

Kristen let her know that her willingness to be vulnerable and have tough conversations meant a lot to her.

A Lasting Impact

Madison’s journey wasn’t linear. Like many of our justice-involved youth struggling with substance abuse, Madison faced setbacks during probation. Kristen never gave up and helped her focus on her future choices.

“When she stumbled, I told her ‘We’re not going to dwell on this,’” she said. “What happened, happened, and I wanted her to move forward and find hope where she was.”

Eventually, Madison successfully completed her probation, and her case was dismissed. The letter she wrote to Kristen was more than a thank-you—it was a testament to the power of trust, consistency, and advocacy.

For Kristen, it was a reminder of why she volunteers. “It’s rare to be let into someone’s world like that,” she said. “Even if a kid is successful, they don’t always acknowledge your help. But Madison did. And I’ll never forget it.”

*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved and to maintain case confidentiality.