Nikki, 32 years old, CA | 34 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Sacramento State Guardian Scholars Program

Nikki entered the foster care system at the age of 4 and remained in care until she aged out at 18, enduring years of instability and abuse. Despite this, she has built a life rooted in strength, resilience, and purpose. She is now a part-time college student and is also a mother of five children. She balances school, work, parenting, and mental health with great care and commitment.

Nikki has discovered that spending time outdoors, particularly on the water, is essential for her mental health, to reset, reflect, and address her emotional needs. She wishes for a paddleboard to provide her with a unique opportunity to reconnect with herself and the land while practicing Indigenous ways of healing through nature and water. This experience would not only serve as a meaningful outlet for her self-care and healing but also offer cultural grounding.