Maddie, 16 years old, CA | 2 DAYS WAITING |

Wish submitted by:

CA DCFS - Los Angeles County

Maddie is a sweet girl who is very resilient despite the hardships she has experienced. Maddie lives in a single-parent household with two younger sisters, a 6-year-old and a 1-year-old. Maddie had a birthday over the summer, in July, but did not get to celebrate or receive any gifts due to the family being in a shelter fleeing an unsafe situation. The family moved about three different times before finding some stability in their current home last month. Maddie's mother works six days per week due to having to support the family. Maddie has had to make changes in order to help support her mother with her younger sisters ,and had to let go of a volunteer opportunity that she really enjoyed. Maddie worries a lot about her sisters as she wants them to feel comfortable in their new school and home. When asked what she wanted for Christmas, Maddie said she would like go to the Discovery Cube in Orange County with her sisters, which speaks to Maddie’s personality and selflessness.

Maddie’s social worker encouraged Maddie to think about herself and something that she wanted for her that could bring her a little bit of joy this holiday season. The next day, Maddie shared with the social worker that she had wanted a pair of Adidas Sambas “for a really long time.” Maddie thought it was a “long shot” to ask for “expensive” shoes. Due to financial hardships and recent family changes, Maddie or her mother can afford said shoes for Maddie.