Graves was born and raised in a small rural town in the Deep South, where they experienced a difficult and often unsafe home environment. After their family discovered that they are queer and transgender, and that they had begun taking steps to live authentically, the situation escalated, leaving them without the support and stability every young person deserves. With limited options, Graves made the courageous decision to leave everything behind. With the help of an online friend, they were able to travel to Philadelphia in search of safety and a chance to start over. Since then, they have faced periods of homelessness while working tirelessly to rebuild their life. Despite these challenges, Graves has remained determined to create a stable and meaningful future. They are currently engaged with Hand2Paw, where they are gaining hands-on experience and exploring a career pathway in animal welfare, something they are deeply passionate about. Graves’ journey is one of resilience, courage, and self-determination. They are not only seeking stability, but also the opportunity to grow, heal, and build a life where they can thrive authentically.