Lidia, 18 years old

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Lidia migrated from Guatemala to the United States in 2021, leaving her family behind. She was renting a room from a woman from her church, trying to make a new life for herself. One night, while driving home from work, Lidia made a wrong turn and was pulled over by the police. During the stop, they discovered she was a minor without a legal guardian, leading to her being referred to Children’s Family Services. Despite the challenges she faces, Lidia remains passionate about soccer, with Barcelona as her favorite team, fueling her hopes for a brighter future.

Lidia has found herself in a nurturing environment, placed with one of her former co-workers from her job. This has allowed her to embrace her teenage years again, attend school, and receive the love and support of her foster parents. A passionate soccer player, Lidia has decided to join the school soccer team and is eagerly looking forward to her first game later this month. However, her foster parents, who are living paycheck to paycheck, cannot afford to buy her soccer cleats. Currently, Lidia is practicing in tennis shoes, which makes it challenging for her to perform at her best. Having a proper pair of soccer cleats would greatly enhance her experience during practices and games, helping her excel on the field.