Michael entered foster care as a kid and soon became legally free for adoption, without a chance of reunification with his biological family. Unfortunately, he also never found permanency with an adoptive home, but there was a silver lining to his disappointment. As Michael was aging out of foster care, his mother started on her own journey of healing. She and Michael were able to reconnect, and their bond strengthened and deepened over the years. She was finally the mother that Michael had always desperately wanted and needed, and he was able to see her smiling face in the crowd on his high school graduation day, something he had always dreamed of. Sadly, this past December, Michael's mother suddenly passed away. The grief has been overwhelming, but Michael is grateful for the time they were able to have together. Soon after his mom died, Michael became housing insecure and started living out of his car, yet he continued to maintain employment. Ever resourceful, Michael contacted a former caseworker who was able to help him first stabilize and secure temporary housing. Then, with a lot of teamwork and cheerleading, Michael moved into his very first studio apartment in a safer neighborhood.