A Heart for Giving and Growing – Caroline’s Story

August 15, 2025

“She’s kind and hilarious and is very witty and punny. She is also compassionate, mindful, and willing to help other students. She will go above and beyond expectations.”

That’s how Caroline’s mother, Anne, describes her daughter – but those words could never fully capture the grace and empathy Carolines brings to the world. She is exactly as Christ calls us to be, and she is still learning and growing along the way.

Caroline is always looking for a way to give back. Together with Anne, she runs Birdie Tweets, a small business that creates and sells handmade birdseed wreaths and ornaments. But Birdie Tweets is more than a shop—it’s a way to spread kindness. A portion of every sale supports organizations that have had a positive impact on their lives. She also partners with local senior homes every month to provide a craft session, spending time with those living in a senior community and listening to their stories, as well as asking questions when she’s curious.

Caroline’s deep care for others shines through in big and small ways. She asks about the well-being of people she hasn’t seen in years or has only met briefly, and her photographic memory helps her recall faces and names with ease. On her second visit to a local senior home, she was able to remember every single person’s name with whom she interacted, and the residents were impressed!

Caroline came to Elim in 2023 after attending public school and a therapeutic day program. When they first toured Elim, Anne remembers leaving in tears—relieved to have found a place that truly understood and embraced Caroline.

“God put us in the right place at the right time,” Anne shares. “Elim is one of the bigger miracles in our lives that God has presented to us.”

But Caroline’s journey hasn’t been an easy one.

Adopted from China at age two by her single mom, Caroline has undergone ten surgeries for a cleft lip and palate. She’s also been diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, and other medical conditions, including a pituitary macroadenoma tumor.

Complex neurological challenges have led to long hospital stays for weeks at a time, forcing her to pause the things she loves—like Birdie Tweets, Special Olympics, and crafts with seniors—while she heals from seizure episodes that continue to befuddle doctors. These episodes have been incredibly difficult for Caroline and her mother, creating obstacles they never could have anticipated.

“It has not been all sunshine and rainbows,” Anne shares with us. “There have been very dark times, too.”

When Caroline returns from an extended absence from school, the Elim staff welcomes her back with open arms, ready to support her ongoing journey.  Since joining Elim, Caroline has made incredible progress, particularly in communication and social cues. She now advocates for herself by saying things like, “I need a break” or “I can be flexible”—simple phrases that reflect hard-earned growth.

Even when hardships and challenges arise, students like Caroline continue to thrive. The consistent support Elim provides to our students and adults empowers them, and we cannot continue this good work without you.

In the future, Anne hopes to see Caroline working in a senior community.

“Not only has Caroline touched the hearts of our group of seniors, but we came to realize that this is the perfect setting for her to work someday. Her temperament, curiosity, and funny personality are a perfect match for the senior community!”

We’re thrilled to see how Caroline continues to be curious about the world around her and all the lives she will touch with her generous spirit!

Because of your generosity, our students receive the tools and resources that they need to thrive. Can you give today and equip over 400 students and adults at Elim to pursue their God-given potential?