Maya, 18 years old, CT | 1 DAY WAITING | NEEDED BY 02/06

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Maya's path through foster care has been marked by her search for identity and her journey toward self-acceptance. She's a strong, independent young woman who's learning that vulnerability isn't weakness and that asking for comfort doesn't diminish her strength. At her residential program, Maya is known for her loyalty to her friends and her no-nonsense approach to challenges. She's been working on softening the edges she built for protection and allowing herself to experience gentleness and care. What makes Maya special is her courage to lower her defenses and explore the softer parts of herself she's kept hidden, and her dream is to feel completely comfortable being both strong and tender, knowing she doesn't have to choose between the two.

Maya's path through foster care has been marked by her search for identity and her journey toward self-acceptance. She's a strong, independent young woman who's learning that vulnerability isn't weakness and that asking for comfort doesn't diminish her strength. At her residential program, Maya is known for her loyalty to her friends and her no-nonsense approach to challenges. She's been working on softening the edges she built for protection and allowing herself to experience gentleness and care. Valentine's Day has historically felt uncomfortable for Maya, too vulnerable, too focused on emotions she learned to hide. But lately, she's been exploring what it might mean to love herself openly and unapologetically.