Mercedes, 15 years old, NJ | 1 DAY WAITING |

Wish submitted by:

NJ DCFS - Essex County

Mercedes is the oldest of her three siblings. She performs well in school and maintains strong grades. She remains curious and motivated to keep learning and improving herself in every way she can dream of. She is socially active and often spending time with friends. She loves outings to the mall, movies, and theme parks. She enjoys participating in community service, showing her commitment to helping others. She is easy to make friends with thanks to her warm, well-spoken nature. She enjoys pizza nights with friends and family. She loves bike riding for fun and exercise. She loves playing with her younger siblings and cherishes family time. She is very much into fashion, beauty, and self-care carefully curates her outfits, hair, and makeup before leaving home. She will always find confidence in her personal style and presentation. She builds connections easily and enjoys being around people. Though she struggles to ask for help or accept gifts, she’s actively working on her self-esteem. She continues to focus on emotional development and self-discovery. She continues to Learn how to see herself the way others see her, strong, capable, and inspiring. Building confidence not just through fashion and beauty, but also through her actions and achievements. Mercedes embodies the vibrant energy of a teenager who balances academics, friendships, family, and personal growth. She’s stylish, empathetic, and socially active, with a bright future ahead as she continues to strengthen her confidence and self-esteem.

To Mercedes, this gift isn’t just about bath bombs and bubble baths; it’s about giving herself permission to pause, breathe, and feel cared for. As a teen, life can feel like it’s moving as fast as a clock ticking, with school, friends, and dreams about the future. This spa set is a reminder that she deserves moments of calm and joy, even in the middle of all that busyness. Just like saving for something big, like a car, these small luxuries remind Mercedes that every step counts. She expresses gratitude daily when she notices the little joys, and these travel-size baskets are full of them. She said she is imagining that every time she uses any of these, she will feel refreshed but also proud of the thoughtful choices she’s making for herself. She decided to choose the travel-size kits, which shows her wisdom; she’ll be able to stretch the gift to last longer, proving that she values experiences over things, and that she knows how to make the most of what she’s been given.