Various authentic stories of children in the foster care system are displayed at the Santa Maria Town Center Mall.
CASA of Santa Barbara County invites the community to explore the journeys of former foster youth via the art installation, "From Trauma to Hope: Stories of Foster Care."
The exhibit, located at The Santa Maria Town Center Mall, runs until Oct. 20, 2024, and aims to foster understanding and empathy while celebrating resilience.
The exhibit amplifies the voices of former foster youth, allowing them to share their personal stories through art. Jessica Salutan, a former foster youth and current CASA advocate, reflected on her journey: "My journey is displayed throughout this exhibit, and it starts at the age of 9. That's when I first went into foster care and it follows my journey through the age of 16 when I emancipated."
Salutan's contributions include a poignant piece depicting a Teddy bear in the backseat of a police car, symbolizing her first ride to a foster home.
"It was my first time entering the foster care... they had given me a Teddy bear with a heart on it," she recalled, emphasizing the emotional impact of that moment.
Visitors to the exhibit have expressed deep emotional responses, Salutan said, noting, "I don't think I was prepared for the amount of emotions that I would see. I've had people give me hugs, or they're in tears."
She urges everyone to experience the exhibit before it closes, stating, "It's so impactful. It's really a driving force to do more."
Crystal Sullins, donor relations and grants manager for CASA, emphasized the transformative nature of the exhibit.
"You're really going to walk alongside seeing the displays and learning about them. It's going to take you from trauma to hope," she said.
To encourage community involvement, the exhibit features an action wall with over 25 opportunities for visitors to support foster youth, such as becoming a CASA volunteer or inviting CASA to speak at events.
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"It's all about giving foster youth a voice," Sullins added.
Another artist, Monique Achterverg, expressed her pride in sharing her story through her artwork, which includes a plush elephant gifted to her at a CASA Christmas event.
"It has been one of the only things that has kept with me since," she said.
Achterverg, a soon-to-be mother, college student, CASA consultant and member of Awakening Giantz, also offered advice to other foster youth.
"Definitely reach out to someone who is very close to you. I had those people who taught me how to talk and reach out," she said.
As the exhibit nears its closing date, community members are encouraged to visit and engage with the powerful stories that highlight the resilience of former foster youth.
"From Trauma to Hope" serves as a reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the importance of supporting those who have experienced foster care.
CASA of Santa Barbara County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for children in the foster care system. Known as Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who mentor and advocate for abused, neglected, or abandoned children. These volunteers spend time with the children, gather information, and commit to their cases until resolution, which can take at least a year. CASA serves communities in Santa Maria, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara.
For more information or to get involved, you can contact CASA at (805) 739-9102 or through their contact form.