Every Child is Special

Growing up, October was always a special month for my family. We had a surplus of birthdays to celebrate, and the month always ended with Halloween and all its excitement. My birthday was the last in the lineup, and since it fell so close to Halloween, my parties always had a Halloween theme. My friends and I would come dressed in our costumes (I was almost always a clown), eat orange jack-o-lantern cake, and try not to ruin our outfits while buzzing from all the sugar.

I don’t remember every detail of those parties, but I do remember how they made me feel: joyful, loved, and special. Even during the years when my mother couldn’t make the party, costume, and cake happen, my older sisters stepped in to make sure I still had a celebration. Thanks to them, October became a month I always looked forward to.

Hopefully, all children look forward to their birthday months, that feeling of anticipation and being celebrated. Unfortunately, we know that’s not the reality for every child, especially those in foster care. Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish has spoken about how, during her time in foster care, her belongings were packed in trash bags, making her feel like “garbage.” That statement underscores a painful truth: many children in care have never experienced the sense of security and belonging that so many of us associate with childhood.

I come from a big family, and there was always someone making sure I had what I needed; even now, my sisters still look out for me. But reports show that in Georgia, neglect is the primary reason children are brought into the foster care system. That’s why I’m a proud supporter and board member of Georgia CASA – the CASA volunteers provide a stable, one-on-one relationship with children in foster care and remain the constant in those children’s lives throughout their foster care experience. CASA volunteers provide children in foster care with something that should never be rare, a consistent, caring adult who stands by them through every placement, hearing, and milestone.

As we’re getting close to the end of the year, I ask you to keep that contrast in mind as you’re planning your end-of-year charitable giving. In 2025, half of the children served by the Division of Family and Children Services in Georgia still don’t have a CASA volunteer. Your support can help change that. Your donation will help shrink that gap, giving more children the chance to feel special, seen, and cared for. I hope one day all children in Georgia will know what it’s like to feel special and have someone constantly looking out for them.

As an organization dedicated to supporting children and families in crisis, we recognize that holidays can be a delicate and nuanced time for many. In this series, Purposeful Perspectives, we asked our staff and board members to select a season, month, or day that is meaningful to them to share with our CASA community. Thank you for joining us as we take a deeper look behind the celebrations that fill our lives.