Tayla, 21 years old, OR | NEEDED BY 02/28

Wish submitted by:

Tayla spent her youth moving through foster homes and juvenile detention, labeled as a "high-risk youth." This constant labeling made her believe she was less deserving of trust and freedom compared to others. Running away became her way of taking control, a survival tactic from her past experiences with homelessness. Now, Tayla is using her experiences to advocate for runaway youth. She knows the struggles young people face when they feel ignored and unsupported. Her goal is to create spaces where their voices are heard. Through her advocacy, she fights for policies that support their needs instead of punishing them for their trauma.

For her birthday this year, Tayla wants a gold heart ring. For her, it’s more than just a pretty piece of jewelry; it’s a symbol of the love she’s learning to give herself. After years of feeling overlooked and misunderstood, she wants something that will remind her every day that her heart is still whole, open, and capable of both giving and receiving love. The ring stands for a promise she’s making to herself: to embrace who she truly is, to love fearlessly, and to treat others with the compassion and kindness she always hoped to receive. It marks a shift in her life, a commitment to live intentionally with love as her guiding force. More than a gift, this ring reflects the woman she is becoming—a woman who refuses to let her past define her, who loves fiercely, and who believes in the strength of a big heart. It’s a powerful reminder that she’s ready to step into a brighter, more loving future.