Success Story: Mary Joy
“Standing in the middle of chaos” That’s how Mary Joy described her experience in foster care.
You have more in common with foster children than you may realize.
Like you, Mary Joy didn’t have a choice – she had to be brave in the middle of chaos. After her mother died when Mary Joy was 8 years old, her father’s alcohol use spiraled and reached a boiling point. Mary Joy was removed from her father and placed in foster care - the summer before her sophomore year of high school.
Her whole world was shaken.
At first, Mary Joy was relieved to be in a safe home and live with her older brother David and his wife Elizabeth. However, Mary Joy thought the move would be temporary – she thought she’d return home before the summer was over, in time to play on her JV volleyball team. At the time, no one knew there was no “normal” for Mary Joy to go back to, that she’d never return to her childhood home.
Mary Joy looked to David and Elizabeth, the only people she knew who were still in her life, for answers. They were as unsure as she was. Soon, Mary Joy was surrounded by countless strangers – new caseworkers, new teachers, new classmates – no one who knew her could tell her everything would be okay. None of the adults could tell Mary Joy when the uncertainty and chaos would be over.
“It felt like purgatory.” Her short life had been saturated with uncertainty and instability. She wanted to make friends at her new school, but should she even bother if she would return home soon? Mary Joy was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
You know what Mary Joy felt like - unsure of what her life would look like, if another change would come. Mary Joy needed someone to be by her side – someone she could depend on, to listen to her, and help her learn how to be brave when she was scared.
BECAUSE OF YOU...
...Mary Joy found stability and trust while standing in the middle of chaos. The kindness of donors like you gave Mary Joy a CASA volunteer named Nicole within two weeks of being removed from her dad’s house.
CASA Nicole got to know Mary Joy over the summer before Mary Joy started at her new high school. Mary Joy shared with CASA Nicole what she went through, and CASA Nicole listened with compassion. CASA Nicole sat with Mary Joy as she shared her fears about her new school, her nervousness about not making friends or the volleyball team, and her confusion about what was going on with her court case or if she’d ever return home.
Because of you, Mary Joy didn’t have to walk through uncertainty or chaos alone. You gave her an advocate.
Even as she adjusted to her new school, your kindness meant Mary Joy had someone to listen to her. Mary Joy could be open and honest with CASA Nicole about her fears, her grief, and her life goals. Processing and practicing how to navigate her emotions with her CASA gave Mary Joy the skills to bravely face new fears and uncertainties waiting for her.
CASA Nicole stayed with Mary Joy until Mary Joy left foster care two years later. Mary Joy was able to stay with her brother David and his wife Elizabeth as she graduated high school with college credits in tow. Because of CASA Nicole’s advocacy, Mary Joy was able to receive a laptop, books for dual credit, SAT prep, and played on a club volleyball team – all the important things that helped Mary Joy feel like she was getting a normal high school experience even though she was in foster care. CASA Nicole was Mary Joy’s advocate in and out of the courtroom and her cheerleader on and off the court.
Because of donors like you, Mary Joy received the support and advocacy she needed to reach her potential. She will become the first person in her family to graduate from college and is currently a student nurse on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because of your support, Mary Joy learned how to be brave navigating life’s uncertainties. Her experience with her mother’s death from cancer at such a young age led her to nursing school, and the skills and confidence she learned navigating the uncertainty and instability of foster care taught her how to be brave in a crisis, equipping her with the calm confidence she needs to care for all of us during the COVID-19 pandemic. While she wanted predictability when she was in foster care, today she enjoys new, challenging experiences.
As we wrap up 2021, we are thankful for donors like you who have stood by us during such a difficult and trying time. We know, just as you were there for Mary Joy, you’ll be there for another child who entered foster care – a child who doesn’t know what their future may bring but knows that there will be a safe and caring adult like you to help them be brave through uncertainty.
Thank you for being that constant support for our community’s abused and neglected children. Click here to pledge your support.
P.S. Mary Joy has been studying nursing and will graduate from college in a few months. She says, “because of the support of my CASA, I’m where I’m supposed to be.” Who knows how many people Mary Joy has already helped during her nursing career and will continue to help in the future - all because someone like you gave to CASA of Tarrant County.