Shania, 17 years old, CT | 1 DAY WAITING | NEEDED BY 02/06

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Shania's foster care journey has shaped her into a compassionate, thoughtful young woman who deeply values connection and emotional authenticity. She's someone who isn't afraid to feel her feelings and who's learning that emotional honesty is a strength, not a weakness. At her residential program, Shania is known for her empathy, her willingness to have real conversations, and her ability to hold space for others' pain while processing her own. She's working on balancing her care for others with equal care for herself and understanding that she can't support everyone else if she's running on empty. What makes Shania special is her emotional intelligence and her commitment to authentic relationship with herself and others, and her dream is to build a life rich with genuine connection, starting with a loving, honest relationship with herself.

Shania's request for Valentine's pajamas reflects her understanding that self-love requires intentional action, not just intellectual agreement. Having special pajamas for Valentine's Day creates an opportunity for her to practice the self-care she encourages in others. She'll wear these to a Galentines party, a celebration designed to show the girls in our program they deserve to be intentionally loved on with genuine care and honor. For young women with histories of sex trafficking who experienced fake connection and manipulative "love," this party models what authentic relationship looks like: honest, safe, mutual, and deeply respectful. Comfortable sleepwear supports the emotional work she's doing, providing physical comfort that helps regulate the big feelings she experiences.