Lerry, 21 years old, CA

Lerry entered foster care when he was 16, a tough time for any teenager who should be thinking about their future. Instead of letting his situation bring him down, he chose to be strong and determined. Now in his early twenties, Lerry is in business school, working hard to create a better life for himself. He juggles his studies with a job in private security, putting in long hours to pay for school and support himself. His time in foster care has pushed him to become independent and driven. He believes education is key to taking charge of his future. Through his job in security, Lerry has also learned important lessons about responsibility, being aware of his surroundings, and building trust—skills that will help him in business. Despite his challenging past, Lerry stays hopeful. He’s working hard to establish a good career and dreams of one day helping young people who have faced similar struggles.

Wishes submitted by:

Strength Based Community Change (SBCC)