Vanessa, 19 years old, OR | 8 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

The Lost & Found Institute

Vanessa entered foster care when she was six years old, and for the next twelve years, she was moved again and again—over twenty different foster homes before she eventually aged out. That kind of constant change forced her to adapt quickly, to read new rooms, new rules, and new people, over and over. Even when stability felt out of reach, Vanessa kept going. She carried herself through every transition with a quiet determination, building resilience in places where she should have been able to simply be a kid. Today, Vanessa is writing a new chapter. She’s in college, sharing an apartment with a roommate, learning what it looks like to create her own sense of home on her own terms. She loves to cook—finding comfort in recipes, flavors, and the simple joy of making something nourishing—and she loves to sing, letting her voice be a place where she can breathe and feel free. Most of all, Vanessa values quality time with the people she loves, choosing connection and joy as she builds a life that reflects who she is, not just what she’s been through.

Vanessa is wishing for something simple but deeply meaningful—a new pink sweater. She doesn’t have many clothes that fit her well, and having something soft, warm, and truly her own would mean so much. A pink sweater would make her feel seen and cared for, offering comfort as she moves through her days at school and home. It’s a small wish, but one that would bring her genuine happiness and a sense of confidence as she continues building her life.