Elijah, 20 years old, NY |

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Elijah is a highly intelligent young man with a great sense of humor. He believes it's important to find reasons to laugh, as pain is a feeling he knows all too well. Elijah has spent most of his life in the foster care system. As he prepares to transition into adulthood, he has leaned on the support of his mentors and peers. Elijah has participated in independent living courses with his mentor, focusing on emotional regulation in response to his struggles with depression and anxiety. He takes pride in his recent efforts in public speaking and advocacy, working to promote systems change that will improve the foster care system and foster equity.

Elijah recently opened up at a support group meeting, revealing a poignant truth: he has never experienced a holiday season filled with joy or safety. For him, the holidays have always been a turbulent time, marked by conflict and crisis during his years in various foster homes. One particularly painful memory lingers—experiencing the heartache of having a precious gift stolen by a family member of a foster parent. As the holiday season approaches, Elijah finds himself grappling with the weight of these memories, often spiraling into deeper feelings of depression. The holidays, instead of being a time of celebration, become a stark reminder of his family losses and the challenges that have shaped his life. This year, however, Elijah longs for an Xbox gaming console. For him, it represents more than just a gaming device; it's a gateway into an imaginative world where he can escape his reality and find solace in the adventures of his favorite games. Although he has only ever played on a friend's console, the idea of having an Xbox of his very own offers him a glimmer of hope—a chance to create joyful experiences amid a season that has historically brought him pain.