Tayla, 21 years old, OR

Tayla spent her youth moving through foster homes and juvenile detention, labeled as a "high-risk youth." This constant labeling made her believe she was less deserving of trust and freedom compared to others. Running away became her way of taking control, a survival tactic from her past experiences with homelessness. Now, Tayla is using her experiences to advocate for runaway youth. She knows the struggles young people face when they feel ignored and unsupported. Her goal is to create spaces where their voices are heard. Through her advocacy, she fights for policies that support their needs instead of punishing them for their trauma.

Wishes submitted by:

The Lost & Found Institute