Jess, 22 years old, UT

Wish submitted by:

Jess is an incredible young woman who spent years in foster care as a teenager. She attends university and is an incredible artist. Jess is a bundle of joy who makes others feel welcomed and cared for as soon as she meets them. She is studying social work and hopes to change the lives of young people in the foster care system.

Jess is excited to enroll in the University of Utah's Social Service Worker Certification Program. This three-course, non-credit program will equip her with essential skills in case management, crisis intervention, and community resources—tools that are crucial for her goal of supporting vulnerable populations in Utah. The program offers practical, hands-on training that aligns with the social service needs in the state. Its focus on ethics, trauma-informed care, and client empowerment resonates with Jess. She is doing her best to contribute toward the total cost, and a little financial assistance would allow her to start the course more quickly.