<![CDATA[BRIGHTSIDE ADVOCACY

<![CDATA[BRIGHTSIDE ADVOCACY - BLOG]]>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:08:48 -0400EditMySite<![CDATA[My Journey From a Protected Past to a Purpose-Driven Present]]>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:29:25 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/my-journey-from-a-protected-past-to-a-purpose-driven-present

I grew up in a small town outside of Philadelphia. So small that my public high school graduating class was considered large with 63 students. We had such freedom back then. I cannot remember a single time when I couldn’t leave the house on my own and go wherever I wanted. None of us felt excited about our independence - it was expected.

Fast forward to raising my own 3 sons in a CT community near Yale University where in every other home was a doctor or professor. Definitely more protective parenting, but still lots of freedom for a young person growing up. It was the norm for every kid to get a car when they earned a license. They drove to school, sports, parties - pretty much anywhere as long as they let their parents know (most times, anyway). They still experienced freedoms, even though all of the parents thought we were being relatively strict.

When I retired to Savannah, I found that I missed the routine of a work day. I needed something more than attending 2 yoga classes each day. The lack of routine was difficult. One day, a woman on the next mat told me that she had just been appointed as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). It was EXACTLY what I was looking for! I had spent most of my career working with children. I had volunteered at different times in my life for charitable events. I felt like being a CASA would be an easy transition - how different could it be??? They are just kids afterall.

So what did I learn that was different? A child in foster care experiences ZERO control over their own life. They are removed from their home by strangers. If lucky enough to find a placement quickly, they move into a house or group home with more strangers. They are now sent to a different school full of strangers. They are introduced to their Case Manager. Stranger. Lawyer. Stranger. The state and the foster parent take their role seriously but this means no real freedoms for the children. They are required to be accountable for the child at ALL times. There is no riding off on your bike to friends like I did when I was a kid. No one is rewarding them with a car for getting their license. The majority don’t have any ID, nevermind having an opportunity to get a license. Most don’t stay in the same foster home. By the time they are eligible to ‘age’ out of care at 18, they have been in 10 to 20 different foster homes. Each time starting over with that same cycle of strangers. Then they may be released from foster care. Can we then expect them to know how to be successfully independent? The system made all of their decisions for them. You can imagine what could happen to their life after that. Most become homeless, incarcerated or trafficked.

Can you imagine how frightening this must be? How would your own children or grandchildren handle this? So. Much. Trauma. Quietly and patiently, a CASA volunteer enters this child’s life not long after entering the foster system. They become someone that is reliable because the child’s best interest is all that the CASA volunteer is focused on. They want the child to know that they DO have a voice - A CASA can make sure that voice is heard. In court. In school, we can let a therapist know recent struggles so the child has an option to discuss - if THEY choose. A CASA can give them some sense of security. Sometimes on a visit, we won’t talk much. Maybe just play cards - but these kids know that you are there FOR THEM.

Becoming a CASA volunteer has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I am definitely more aware and not as sheltered from reality. I am a much less judgemental person because now I know the stories that have caused generational poverty and neglect. In fact, my role as a volunteer has brought me to the decision to help more than just my own CASA case. I started working for Brightside in Development over 2 years ago. Now I am trying to change the future of more than 300 children by raising funds to support and increase the programming that is so vital to their future success. I encourage you to try to make an impact too. Volunteer, spread awareness of our mission, or donate. Call Brightside and ask for me. I will be happy to guide you to the best path for you.

About the Author

Terry Wright
Terry joined the Brightside family in 2021 and now serves as our Director of Development. She brings heart, leadership, and commitment to everything she does. We are honored to have her passion and expertise on our team.

]]><![CDATA[Uplifting Youth in Foster Care]]>Sun, 10 May 2026 17:41:18 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/uplifting-youth-in-foster-care

May is a time of renewal, growth, and reflection—making it especially meaningful as we recognize National Foster Care Awareness Month. Across the country, thousands of young people are navigating life in foster care, each with their own story, resilience, and potential. This month invites us ALL not only to raise awareness, but to take meaningful steps toward supporting and empowering these youth.

Understanding the Experience
Youth in foster care often face significant challenges, including instability, disrupted education, and emotional stress. Many move between multiple homes, schools, and communities, making it difficult to build lasting relationships and a sense of belonging. Despite these obstacles, foster youth continue to demonstrate incredible strength and perseverance.

Why YOUR Support Matters
Consistent, caring adults can make a life-changing difference. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or simply showing up, supportive relationships help foster youth build confidence and envision brighter futures. Access to education, mental health resources, and life skills training also plays a critical role in helping them transition successfully into adulthood.

How You Can Make an Impact?
There are many ways to get involved this month and beyond:

Become a mentor or volunteer with Brightside Child and Family Advocacy. www.brightsideadvocacy.org/volunteer or www.brightsideadvocacy.org/bfmentor
Support foster families by donating. https://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/donate.html
Advocate for policy changes that improve outcomes for youth in care. www.brightsideadvocacy.org/advocate
Raise awareness by sharing information and stories within your community. www.brightsideadvocacy.org

Looking Ahead
Every young person deserves stability, support, and the opportunity to thrive. This May, let’s commit to being part of the solution—whether through small acts of kindness or larger commitments to change. Together, we can help ensure that youth in foster care feel seen, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

About the Author

Dr. Zelonia Williams
Zelonia joined the Brightside family in 2024 as the Brighter Futures Program Director. She is a phenomenal community leader and educator. We are honored to have her experience and expertise.

]]><![CDATA[Education as a Lifeline: Supporting Youth Aging Out of Care]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:18:35 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/education-as-a-lifeline-supporting-youth-aging-out-of-care

For those who know me personally, you may recall my college days—long hours spent studying, writing, and pushing myself to grow academically. While some might have seen this dedication as “try-hard,” the reality is that I have always loved learning. I value education deeply, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to experience college and all that it offered.

Education shapes more than knowledge; it shapes character. It exposes us to new ideas, challenges us to consider different perspectives, and teaches us the value of hard work and perseverance. These experiences, which many of us take for granted, are not universal. Youth in foster care often face a complex web of challenges—including frequent moves, disrupted schooling, and limited access to resources—resulting in inconsistent, limited, or sometimes entirely denied educational opportunities.

These barriers can make pursuing an education feel daunting, if not impossible, and can leave young people without the stability and guidance they need to reach their full potential. Yet education has the power to be truly transformative. It opens the doors to new opportunities, fosters critical thinking, and helps youth envision and build a future beyond the circumstances they were born into.

I’ll never forget hearing a young person express their frustration: “I could have gone to school if it weren’t for this.” Their words were a humbling reminder of the privileges many of us take for granted—and a call to action to ensure that no young person is held back from learning because of circumstances beyond their control.

Organizations like Brightside, together with supportive communities, can make education not just a possibility, but a pathway to empowerment. By connecting youth with mentorship, tutoring, scholarships, and career guidance, and by fostering networks of support, we can help them gain the tools and resilience they need to thrive. Each of us has a role to play—whether through volunteering, advocacy, or simply offering encouragement—to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to build a brighter future.

This work is a constant reminder of the progress still to be made. As the weather warms and students celebrate the close of their semesters, let us not forget those who dream of pursuing education but face obstacles that make that goal feel out of reach. By coming together as a community, we can rewrite the narratives for young people aging out of foster care.

About the Author

Anna Hunger
Anna is our wonderful Administrative Assistant at Brightside. With a passion for education and helping others, she has been an incredible addition to our team.

]]><![CDATA[A Heartfelt "Thank You"]]>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:14:41 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/a-heartfelt-thank-you

For several years, I have worked behind the scenes helping to raise money and awareness to support Brightside Child & Family Advocacy’s (“Brightside”) mission and vision as a board member and now the current board chair. The funds raised provide stability, hope, and opportunity for Savannah’s most vulnerable children—but the money is only the beginning.

Without Brightside’s caring, passionate staff and CASAs, children and families immersed in the foster care system could easily be overlooked and overwhelmed. Brightside’s staff and CASAs are embedded within Savannah’s child welfare community, and are continuously identifying systemic inefficiencies and unmet needs. Then, through research, creativity, and collaboration—including partnerships with Chatham County’s Juvenile Court Judges—they develop meaningful, practical solutions.

Unwavering as the voice for children navigating the foster care judicial system, Brightside has also created innovative programs that provide essential support such as transportation, supervised visitation, life-skills training, clothing closets, holiday wishes, mental health services, college preparation, sport/club equipment, and multiple others. These efforts foster confidence, belonging, and resilience while strengthening foster children and families as well as other community/governmental organizations.

Brightside staff and CASAs never stop dreaming of new ways to serve children and families in foster care, and every donation helps them not just survive but to thrive and build brighter futures. That is just one reason, why I continue to volunteer and support Brightside Child & Family Advocacy.

A heartfelt "Thank you" to ALL Brightside Staff, CASAs, and volunteers! Because of you, children feel seen, supported, and valued. Your dedication changes lives every single day, and our community is stronger because of you.

About the Author

Kathy Ledvina
Kathy Ledvina is the Board Chair for Brightside Advocacy Child and Family Advocacy. We are grateful for her leadership. For years, she has advocated for children in foster care. Our team is so fortunate to have her.

]]><![CDATA[A Season of Giving, a Lifetime of Impact]]>Sun, 11 Jan 2026 07:42:00 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/a-season-of-giving-a-lifetime-of-impact

This holiday season, our community came together in a way that still takes my breath away.

445 wish lists were fulfilled. 🎁

Each one represents a child in Chatham County who has experienced abuse/neglect, or foster care. Each list tells a small piece of a much bigger story—one of resilience, hope, and the simple value of humans’ need to be seen.
One child’s wish list stopped me in my tracks. It didn’t ask for a toy, clothes, or electronics. It simply said: “A family is all I want.”

Moments like that remind me that while gifts matter, what these children truly long for is connection, safety, and love.

Every year, I’m amazed all over again by the generosity of our donors. Watching the process unfold never gets old—seeing wish lists claimed, gifts arriving one by one, the stacks growing higher and higher. To an outsider, it may just look like boxes and bags. But to us, every gift represents a child who won’t be forgotten this holiday season.

I’ve had the privilege of watching foster youth open their gifts before, and that moment stays with you forever. One child in particular got a Stanley Cup, and as soon as she opened it, she started crying, saying that she never thought someone would listen to her list. It’s never really about what’s inside the box. It’s about the pause, the wide eyes, the tears, the quiet smile—the realization that someone who doesn’t even know them still cared enough to listen to their wants. To show up. To say, you matter.

That single act of kindness speaks volumes. It tells a child they are worthy. That they are seen. That even in the midst of hard and painful chapters, there is goodness in the world meant just for them.
This is why this work matters. It’s a reminder that kindness still wins. That compassion still shows up. That hope can exist alongside the hardest stories.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your generosity makes a difference—please know that it absolutely does. These children feel it. They remember it.

And honestly? So do I—every single year.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of something so meaningful this holiday season. 💙

About the Author

Mandy Roberts is the Advocacy Director for Brightside Advocacy's Savannah CASA. Mandy has been with the organization since 2015. Prior to her role at Brightside, she was a Case Manager at the Division of Family and Children Services. She has her Bachelors in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University. When she isn't supporting her team and volunteers, she can be found walking with her fur baby, Braylee or enjoying a beach.

]]><![CDATA[Why Mentorship Matters: How One Caring Adult Can Change Everything]]>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 05:06:53 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/why-mentorship-matters-how-one-caring-adult-can-change-everythingAt Brightside Advocacy’s Brighter Futures Program, we see it every day: when a young person has even one committed, caring adult in their corner, the path ahead of them begins to look different. More hopeful. More possible. More theirs.

Mentorship isn’t about having all the answers or being perfect. It’s about showing up. It’s about being that steady, reliable presence who listens, encourages, and helps a young person imagine who they can become. And for youth facing challenges—whether systemic, emotional, or environmental—that kind of support can be life-changing.

Research backs up what we witness firsthand. When young people have mentors, they are more likely to stay engaged in school, build confidence, develop healthier coping skills, and make decisions that guide them toward stable, successful adulthood. They’re less likely to feel alone, overwhelmed, or unseen. A mentor becomes a safe space—a reminder that they matter, that their voice counts, and that someone believes in their potential.

What makes the difference isn’t a mentor’s expertise; it’s the relationship. Mentorship works because it offers something so many young people desperately need: trust. When a young person realizes that a mentor genuinely cares—consistently, compassionately, without judgment—they begin to open up. They begin to grow. They begin to dream bigger dreams.

Mentors help young people navigate challenges that range from planning for the future to supporting tasks that lead to achieving independence. They cheer for their victories and guide them through their setbacks. They model what healthy relationships look like, what resilience feels like, and how to keep moving forward even when life gets complicated. Over time, the young people we work with start to see themselves differently. They start to see that they are capable.

At Brighter Futures, we believe every young person should have the chance to be truly supported. But that kind of transformation can only happen through people willing to step into that role—people who want to make a difference not through grand gestures, but through consistent, caring presence.
If you feel a tug toward this kind of impact, we’d love to share more about what mentoring looks like and how you can become part of this work.

Learn more about becoming a mentor here: www.brightsideadvocacy.org/bfmentor

Maggie Smith is an Advocacy Coordinator for Savannah CASA. Maggie joined the team in 2018 and is the Youth Experience & Impact Manager for the Brighter Futures Team. Maggie is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor's in Child and Family Development. She also minored in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies.

]]><![CDATA[Embracing Love and Creating Families: National Adoption Month]]>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 03:47:31 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/embracing-love-and-creating-families-national-adoption-monthNovember is a month filled with gratitude, warmth, and the spirit of giving thanks. It is also a time to celebrate National Adoption Month, a special observance dedicated to honoring the beauty of adoption, the strength of families, and the love that transcends biological ties. This month, we come together to recognize and celebrate the countless children, parents, and families whose lives have been forever changed by the gift of adoption.It originated from a "National Adoption Week" proclaimed by President Reagan in 1984, which was expanded to the entire month by President Clinton in 1995.

Adoption is a profound act of love, compassion, and selflessness. It is a journey that brings together individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, creating bonds that are rooted in love, understanding, and shared dreams.

One of the most powerful aspects of adoption is the way it transforms lives and creates a sense of belonging and permanence for children who have experienced loss or hardship. Adoption provides these children with a safe and loving home, a supportive family, and a bright future filled with endless possibilities. It gives them the chance to thrive, to grow, and to be nurtured in an environment filled with love, care, and stability.

As we celebrate National Adoption Month, let us reflect on the profound impact of adoption on the lives of children, families, and communities. Let us honor the courage, compassion, and love that define the adoption journey. And let us continue to raise awareness, support adoptive families, and advocate for policies that promote and protect the well-being of children in need of loving homes.

This National Adoption Month, let us come together to embrace love, create families, and celebrate the transformative power of adoption. Let us stand united in our commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, nurturing, and loving home. And let us continue to spread awareness, share stories, and inspire others to open their hearts to the gift of adoption. Happy National Adoption Month!

About the Author

Dr. Zelonia Williams
Zelonia joined the Brightside family in 2024 as the Brighter Futures Program Director. She is a phenomenal community leader and educator. We are honored to have her experience and expertise.

]]><![CDATA[I’ll Stay for the Whole Story]]>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 03:01:47 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/ill-stay-for-the-whole-story

Author’s note: This is the message I shared at our Creating Brighter Futures event. So many of you asked to read and pass it along—I wanted to share it with everyone.

When my son was in middle school, he asked me not to come to school. He knew that if I showed up, someone might look at us and decide what he was. Not who—what. Overnight, he wouldn’t be just a kid; he’d be “the adopted kid.” He just wanted to be a kid.

I think about that a lot—how fast a label becomes a wall. How many children learn to make themselves smaller so they won’t be pointed at. How many parents practice answers because they know the questions are coming. How many young adults carry a quiet, heavy secret: If you knew the systems that touched my life, would you still see me the same?

Right now, more than 300 children in Chatham County are in foster care. And thousands of our neighbors have been in care, adopted, or otherwise pulled into the child-welfare current at some point. They bag groceries beside you. Sit in lecture halls near you. Clock in on the line next to you. Ordinary days, extraordinary weight.

What they want isn’t complicated: to belong without a label, to be believed without mounting a defense, and to be understood without bleeding out their whole story to earn it.

That is why Brightside exists.

Every day I watch people choose love that looks like showing up. A CASA who keeps the third promise after the first two were hard. A Bright House staff member who kneels to a child’s eye level and makes room for a parent’s dignity. A Brighter Futures case manager who celebrates a first paycheck like a diploma—because for that young adult, it is.

This work is tender. It’s practical. And it’s fragile. We’ve worked hard to rely less on government funding—moving from heavy dependence to under half of our budget today. That’s good stewardship. But the portion that remains still underwrites what can never be replaced: people. Programs don’t sit in courtrooms. Grants don’t hold babies. People do.

Why Three Years

In our community, three years often mirrors a child’s chapter in foster care. It is not their whole story—but too often it’s the loneliest one. A three-year commitment says, I’ll stay for this chapter—three birthdays, three first days of school, three holidays without wondering if help will disappear. Your steadiness tells a child, a parent working their plan, and a young adult after foster care: you are seen.

That promise keeps doors open and rooms safe. It trains advocates. It protects visitation time. It turns “maybe” into “I’m ready.”

How You Can Stay for the Whole Story

Make a three-year pledge—monthly, quarterly, or annually, in the amount that fits your life. Your commitment helps keep visits steady, ensures the court understands what’s really going on in a child’s life, and gives a young person after foster care the building blocks of stability—transportation, housing, training, therapy, and steady work—so tomorrow can be planned, not feared.
Give your time and talent. Become a CASA, mentor a youth, or hire a young adult. Open the door only you can open.

Because of you, may every child in Chatham County know: You are not alone. You are seen. You are found.

About the Author

Kate Blair is the Executive Director of Brightside Advocacy. Before joining the team in 2018, she served as the Development and Communications Director for Step Up Savannah. She has a Bachelors in Communications. Originally from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, Kate and her husband, Andy, made Savannah their home in 2006. They are proud parents to non-twin teens, Tek and Firdawek. The Blairs love to travel together and have incredibly competitive games of Uno. Kate wins the most. She will fight you if you say otherwise. ;)

]]><![CDATA[Becoming a CASA]]>Mon, 22 Sep 2025 04:15:48 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/becoming-a-casa

For as long as I can remember, my heart has been drawn to children—especially those who need an advocate. I’ve spent a large portion of my career in child welfare, working with children and families to protect and uplift them in their most vulnerable moments. I've worked within the systems designed to protect them, but I've also seen firsthand the limitations, the heartbreak, and the gaps that often leave kids feeling invisible.

And for the past 5½ years, that commitment has continued through my work as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Becoming a CASA allowed me to stay connected to the mission that has shaped my life: being a voice for children who might otherwise go unheard.
But recently, something beautiful happened that gave all this even more profound meaning.
I recently became a grandmother to twins, and the first time I held them, I felt an overwhelming sense of love. I want to ensure their world is safe, nurturing, and filled with love and opportunity. Holding them reminded me so clearly why advocacy matters. Every child deserves to feel secure, cherished, loved, and supported as they grow. They need someone who will fight for their best interests and believe in their potential, especially when life gets complicated.

As a CASA, I’ve walked alongside children and youth who have faced enormous challenges that no child should ever face: abuse, neglect, instability, and uncertainty. Many have been moved from home to home and don’t have a consistent adult presence to guide and support them.

Becoming a CASA is one of the most powerful ways to make a lasting impact as you stand in the gap. You don’t need a special degree or years of experience; just a big heart and the willingness to show up for a child who needs you.

Being a grandmother has deepened that sense of purpose in ways I didn’t expect. I look at my grandchildren and think about everything I hope they’ll have—stability, love, opportunity, support, and much more. I know these are the same things every child deserves, regardless of their circumstances.

About the Author

Sharon Newman
Sharon Newman is the Lead Advocacy Coordinator for the Fostering Futures Advocacy for Children Ages 14+ and an amazing asset to our team. We are grateful for all her hard work.

]]><![CDATA[Walking In My Purpose]]>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 00:05:08 GMThttps://www.brightsideadvocacy.org/blog/walking-in-my-purpose

My name is Brittany Huff, I was born and raised in Connecticut. I am a wife and mother of three. As a youth I grew up in the foster care system. Being a child in the foster care system was difficult, especially trying to understand why I couldn’t be with my family but it ultimately led me to a passion for child welfare. As I navigated through adulthood, I was able to earn an undergraduate degree preparing me for a path as a social worker. Once I became a social worker I shortly realized that the role was not fulfilling the purpose I felt God had placed on my life. Not knowing which direction to go I left that position and went back to school earning a MBA and explored other career options. Still not feeling satisfied because I was not walking in my purpose, God pushed me to uncharted territories. That journey taught me to trust in God in all things, and here I am now!

Joining Brightside Child and Family advocacy has allowed me to bring life to an old passion and aspirations. As a Family Support Specialist, I am honored to bridge the gap for families that have had struggles but are turning a new leaf. Families are able to connect and have a sense of normalcy because of Bright House and I am proud to be a part of the team. I have had the pleasure to supervise visits for new parents, and experienced parents that are in need of support, guidance, and advocacy. My role at Bright House and as a mother are interconnected at times because I can offer professional and personal insight that helps the families. My background as a youth that aged out of foster care gives parents a sense of relatability, and first hand experience that they can make a change to better the lives of their children.

As a Family Support Specialist I have been able to give parents reassurance that through their hard work, reunification is an attainable goal. Other parents feel that my work has allowed them to realize that they are not alone with their struggles and that it is ok to accept help and guidance along the way. Some parents are just grateful that we are voices that can advocate for their needs and the needs of their children. Utilizing the Nurturing Parenting curriculum gives parents an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills as a parent. It has been useful to help parents see things in a different perspective, and sharpen their parenting skills.

I am very thankful to be a part of an organization that is founded upon core values that make a difference and strengthen families. With God all things are possible and I am now walking in my purpose and I see a brighter side of things!

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