Carol, 19 years old, OR | 1 DAY WAITING

Wish submitted by:

The Lost & Found Institute

Carol entered foster care after repeatedly running away from home because her parents wouldn’t accept her as part of the LGBTQ community. Home felt hostile rather than loving, and each time she escaped, she hoped to find a place where she could be herself. Instead, she ended up in foster care, moving from one home to another, which made her feel lost and disconnected. Carol uses her experiences to help young people who face similar challenges. As a peer mentor, she offers support, understanding, and encouragement to those in foster care struggling with their identity and acceptance. Having felt unwanted herself, she wants to ensure that the youths she mentors never feel alone. By sharing her story and creating safe environments, she helps them gain confidence and embrace who they are, no matter the difficulties they encounter.

Carol is asking for a Fred Meyer gift card to help cover groceries and a few household items she’s running low on. After paying her main bills, there isn’t much left for a full grocery trip, and she’s trying to make sure there’s enough food in the house for the next week or two. A gift card would let her pick up fresh food, pantry staples, and essentials like toiletries or cleaning supplies all in one place. Any help right now would really lighten the load for her.