Hi, my name is Ayla Gershman, and for my bat mitzvah project, I chose something that really means a lot to me—helping children who don’t have a stable home or support system. I wanted to find a way to make a difference in their lives, even in a small way.

I looked for an organization here in Santa Barbara that supports kids in the foster care system, and I found Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA works to advocate for children in foster care and make sure they have someone in their corner who cares about them.

A big part of becoming a bat mitzvah is learning about the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, which means repairing the world by helping others and giving back to your community with kindness.

In lieu of gifts, I would be so grateful if you would consider donating to my fund. Your support will help children in foster care have a trusted advocate and someone they can rely on.

Thank you so much for helping me make a difference