How Sponsor A Child Turns Everyday Needs into Life-Changing Milestones

Have you ever raised a paddle for Sponsor A Child at a Casa Pacifica fundraising event and wondered exactly what your generosity supports? Every donation makes a meaningful difference, helping children, youth and young adults overcome barriers, seize opportunities and move toward independence. From covering practical needs to supporting important milestones, Sponsor A Child helps our youth achieve tangible moments of progress, whether that’s succeeding in school, gaining independence, or building confidence for what comes next.

For one young adult, Devon, Sponsor A Child funding meant something many of us take for granted: learning how to drive. Without family support or reliable transportation, getting to work and school was challenging.

“I was always anxious about getting to where I needed to be on time,” Devon explains. “Thanks to Casa Pacifica, learning to drive gave me a real sense of independence. I feel like I have more control over my future now.”

For Troy, that momentum reached a major milestone. With support from Sponsor A Child, he didn’t just learn to drive — he earned his driver’s license. This achievement opened doors to new job opportunities, reduced reliance on public transportation, and offered a sense of self-sufficiency. For Troy, a license wasn’t just an ID card — it was freedom.

Sponsor A Child also helps remove educational barriers that can stand in the way of long-term success.

When a donor learned that Bree – a determined young adult who received therapeutic support from Casa Pacifica as a foster youth – was typing college notes on her iPhone, sometimes up to 20 pages at a time, he stepped in immediately to help. Through Sponsor A Child, Bree was gifted a laptop, giving her the tools she needed to fully engage in her coursework and pursue her academic goals with confidence.

“Before this, I was doing everything on my phone, and it took so much extra time and energy just to keep up,” says Bree, who is pursuing her second doctorate degree. “I can’t overstate how grateful I am to the donor who changed the whole trajectory of my education and allowed me to realize my academic dreams.”

Beyond individual needs, funds raised through Sponsor A Child strengthen educational and life-skills programming across Casa Pacifica’s continuum of care. These donations help support graduation celebrations and outings for students in our Non-Public School, including a recent trip for graduating seniors to Universal Studios, along with educational field trips that expand learning beyond the classroom. Funds also support the purchase of K–12 textbooks and essential classroom materials for students.

Sponsor A Child also supports financial literacy courses for transitional age youth, equipping them with practical skills—from budgeting to managing credit—that are critical for long-term independence. These moments and resources matter, because they recognize achievement, reduce barriers, and prepare our youth not just for today, but for the futures they are working so hard to build.

“Sponsor A Child provides additional support and opportunities that help our youth move forward, whether that’s transportation, education, or the resources needed to live independently,” explains Carrie Hughes, Casa Pacifica’s Chief Development Officer. “We are incredibly grateful to the donors who raise their paddles and say yes to our youth. Their generosity removes barriers and creates life-changing opportunities for the young people we serve.”

When you participate in Sponsor A Child at fundraising events like The Angels Spotlight on Style Fashion Show and the Top Chef Yummie Dinner, you are doing far more than raising a paddle; you are helping create milestones that move our youth forward. Sponsor A Child reminds us that real change often begins with small moments—and sometimes, with something as simple and as powerful as handing a young person the keys to their future.