Lyra, 17 years old, VA

Lyra does not speak, but she communicates in the ways she knows best: bright smiles, soft sounds, and leaning toward the people she trusts. She needs the full-time care of the adults around her for every part of her day, and she has been in foster care for most of her life, moving between placements while the people who loved her worked to make sure she was safe, comfortable, and known. Lyra is now in a home with devoted caregivers who have learned all of her quirks, like her love of gentle music, soft blankets, and the warm sun on her face. She is a young woman who may never be able to tell the world what she wants, but she deserves a world that pays attention. Lyra has moved through a system not built for someone like her, and she waits for people who will see her joy and make sure it never goes unnoticed.

Wishes submitted by:

The Friends of Foster Care