Tiana’s dreams come true thanks to our generous donors

Tiana* has been in foster care since she was ten due to family violence.  As she started year 10 at school, Tiana and her friends couldn’t stop talking about their upcoming formal.

While the other girls in Tiana’s class shared what they wanted to wear and how to do their hair, Tiana kept quiet. She knew her foster carer couldn't afford the beautiful blue sequined dress she had her heart set on, not to mention hairstyling and make-up.

Tiana started to feel isolated and disheartened, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to experience the formal in the way her classmates would. She thought she might be the only girl who would be attending in a hand-me-down dress. So, she decided she’d rather not go. 

Tiana shared her feelings with Bec*, her Berry Street Case Manager, who suggested she apply for a Berry Street Positive Memory Bank (PMB) grant which would provide the funds Tiana needed to make her formal dreams come true. With Bec’s help, they submitted a PMB application together. 

And the news was positive. On the day Tiana’s grant was approved, she invited her foster carer and case manager to go dress shopping at their local shopping centre. 

On the night of her formal, Tiana felt and looked amazing. For Tiana, our Positive Memory Bank provided her with so much more than a beautiful dress and pair of shoes. It gave her lasting memories and fostered a sense of belonging and support. Thank you so much to our supporters who helped to make Tiana’s dream come true.

*Names changed for privacy.