Axel, 25 years old | 4 DAYS WAITING | NEEDED BY 07/25

Wish submitted by:

California Youth Connection

Axel's life is a story of resilience and growth, starting from his childhood in Mexico and a tumultuous early life in the U.S. After being separated from his mother at three, he lived with various family members until he faced foster care at fifteen. His early adulthood was marked by challenges, including homelessness and substance abuse. However, the birth of his son at twenty-one became a turning point. Motivated to change, he enrolled in college and engaged with California Youth Connection (CYC), where he advocates for improvements in the child welfare system. Axel also enjoys hobbies like painting, blogging, photography, antique collecting, freestyle rapping, and basketball, which enrich his life and connect him with his son. His journey reflects his ability to transform adversity into advocacy, making him a passionate and dedicated individual committed to positively impacting others.

Axel wishes for a great camera for his birthday this year. A new camera would be a powerful tool to merge Axel's hobbies and work. Through photography, he can document and share the stories of those in the child welfare system, highlight the beauty and resilience within our communities, and use visual storytelling to advocate for change. A camera would also allow him to capture moments of joy and creativity in his personal life, providing a balance to the demanding nature of his advocacy work. To Axel, this is more than just a camera; these are memories he may never get back and stories that can only be shared truthfully through the lens.