STORY OF HOPE

Miranda and her CASA Advocate, Bri.

Miranda has been defying the odds for most of her life. She entered foster care at the age of 16, was moved three times in a short period and became a mother all at the same time. During this tumultuous period, Miranda found a sister figure in CASA advocate, Brianda. Brianda gave her hope for the future and someone to stand by her side. She pushed Miranda to finish school and not give up on her future.

For children like Miranda, the odds are stacked against them. A small percentage of foster children graduate high school and of those who do, only about 20% go on to college compared to their peers who attend college at a 60% rate. With Brianda’s encouragement and support, Miranda was the first in her father’s family to graduate high school this year, and the first to attend college this fall.

Even though Miranda has aged out of the foster care system, and Brianda’s volunteer CASA commitment to her has technically ended, they have chosen to stay close. During this year’s COVID-19 challenges, that closeness has remained important to both of them. Considering each other family, they have made the joint decision to visit often, to the extent that they are comfortable being together without wearing masks.

Because of the impact Brianda has made on Miranda’s life, she has decided she would like to work with children in the future. She wants a better future for the next generation. “I want them to know they’re not alone during the bad times, we know how to fight it, we know how to keep going, we know how not to repeat history.”

As for Bri, she is confident that Miranda has a bright future ahead of her. “I know she has the brains and the heart to push through. Her past does not define her. It is my privilege to be Miranda’s CASA Advocate, and I am just so proud of her!”