Boise resident Katie Saad is using her Halloween display on Harrison Boulevard to recruit foster parents and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for children in Idaho’s foster care system. By blending a Wizard of Oz-themed installation with recruitment tools from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Saad is turning a seasonal community attraction into a year-round plea for stable, loving homes for youth in need.
Every October, thousands of families visit Harrison Boulevard for its elaborate decorations. Saad’s display features Dorothy and her companions reimagined as skeletons, anchored by the poignant message: “No Place Like Home.” While the visuals draw the crowds, the goal is civic action. Saad has integrated QR codes and informational pamphlets that lead visitors directly to resources for becoming a foster parent or a CASA volunteer.
Turning a seasonal attraction into a civic platform
The strategy is simple: meet the community where they already gather. Saad noted that because Harrison Halloween brings so many people together, she saw an opportunity to use her yard as a platform to do some good. The display doesn’t just ask for help; it frames the qualities needed for foster parenting through the lens of the movie’s iconic characters, reminding visitors to have a heart, show courage, and accept that people don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.
The impact has been immediate. Jean Fisher, the administrator for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Youth Safety & Permanency Division, visited the site and confirmed the outreach is working. Fisher noted that resource peer mentors on-site have already distributed numerous pamphlets and collected names on a sign-up sheet for those seeking more information on foster parenting.
“That’s a huge impact!” said Jean Fisher, regarding the volume of sign-ups and information distributed at the display.
By using a high-traffic event, Saad is attempting to lower the barrier to entry for potential volunteers who might be interested but didn't know where to start.
The role of CASAs and the myth of the legal requirement
A significant part of the display’s mission is clarifying what a CASA actually does. Many people assume that because Court Appointed Special Advocates work within the legal system, they must be attorneys. Saad, partnering with Fostering Idaho and Family Advocates, is working to dispel this misconception.
CASAs are trained volunteers who investigate cases involving child abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Their primary role is to act as the eyes and ears of the court, ensuring that the child’s voice is heard during legal proceedings to determine the best possible outcome for their future. According to Saad, both Fostering Idaho and Family Advocates provide the necessary training and ongoing support to ensure these volunteers can make a meaningful difference.
While the festive atmosphere of Harrison Boulevard is lighthearted, the underlying reality for children in foster care is often a precarious journey. Saad explicitly linked Dorothy’s struggle to return home in The Wizard of Oz to the experiences of youth in the foster system, highlighting the emotional weight of searching for stability and belonging.
Balancing community spirit with systemic needs
The integration of these themes shows that systemic needs don't disappear during the holidays. The use of a QR code allows interested parties to move from a state of curiosity to a state of action in seconds, bypassing the friction of searching for government websites on their own.
By utilizing the high visibility of Harrison Boulevard, Saad is effectively bridging the gap between a city’s social traditions and its most vulnerable residents.
As the Halloween crowds continue to walk the boulevard, the goal remains clear: transforming a few nights of seasonal wonder into a lifetime of stability for Idaho’s children.
“Giving time to support youth in our community is a meaningful way to give back and make a lasting impact,” Saad said.
