Meet Ann

“Ann” is a 18 year-old with a critical eye for film. Ann teamed up with students from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee to make short videoes about foster care. The project allowed Ann to tell her story and interview other youth and policy makers. She also shot some video and learned about the filmmaking process. Ann and UWM film graduate Daniel Kelly were able to sit down with Wisconsin State Rep. Tamara Grigsby, Youth Advisory President Jonathan Boyde and other community leaders.

Ann graduated with honors from the Milwaukee School of Languages with a language certificate in French. She is also a member of the city champion girls’ soccer team.

Ann is now in college in New York. Her involvement with CASA was critical in making this step possible. Her CASA volunteer helped her complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and supporting documents, and spoke with financial aid officers on her behalf to establish her as an independent student. This ensured that colleges assessed her financial need without considering the assets and earning capacity of her mother, from whose care she was removed in 2006. As a result, Ann received a $14,000 scholarship, plus need-based loans and work/study grants that will fully cover her first year of college.

There are many people in Ann’s life that helped make her success possible, from the CASA volunteer who worked with Ann, her teachers and coaches at Milwaukee School of Language who encouraged Ann through school, and Daniel Kelly of UW-Milwaukee, who helped Ann tell her story.

Special thanks to Daniel Kelly whose enthusiasm for film and his outstanding editing skills that made this project possible.