Tayla, 20 years old, OR

Wish submitted by:

Tayla spent much of her youth cycling through foster homes, group placements, and juvenile detention centers, always feeling like she was being labeled rather than understood. As a "high-risk youth," she was constantly denied the privileges and freedoms that other young people in care had, reinforcing the belief that she was different—less deserving, less trustworthy. Running away became her way of reclaiming control, a survival tactic she had learned long before entering the system. Before foster care, she had already experienced homelessness, learning how to navigate life on her own terms. Survival mode was her normal, and no placement ever felt like home. Now, Tayla is turning her lived experience into action as an advocate for runaway youth. She understands firsthand the challenges young people face when they feel unheard and unsupported, and she’s determined to create spaces where their voices matter. Through her advocacy, she pushes for changes in how systems respond to runaway youth, fighting for policies that center their needs rather than punish them for their trauma responses.

Tayla is requesting a Target gift card to help with food and basic household items while her SNAP benefits are temporarily on hold. Due to this unexpected interruption, she’s having trouble keeping groceries in the house and covering essentials such as pantry staples, fresh produce, and household supplies. This would give her some immediate flexibility to shop for what she and her family need right now and help bridge the gap until her SNAP benefits are active again.