MJ, 18 years old, PA

Wish submitted by:

At eight years old, MJ entered foster care due to domestic violence in his mother’s relationship. Although the court determined she was unable to protect her children, she never harmed them and remained a loving, steady presence in his life. She fought consistently to stay connected to him and, when he was placed in an unsafe home at 14, she advocated fiercely and ultimately won custody back. In 2024, their journey took another difficult turn when his mother experienced respiratory failure. Due to her health condition and inability to work, they lost their housing and have been living in a shelter while MJ helps care for her. Despite these challenges, he has shown extraordinary resilience and maturity. He has stepped into the role of caregiver with deep compassion and unwavering loyalty. His story is one of strength, perseverance, and devotion. Through instability and loss, he continues to show courage and a powerful commitment to family, determined not just to survive, but to build a more stable future.

MJ wishes for some help. After losing their home during his mother’s medical crisis, his family is finally looking forward to being placed into housing and preparing to start over from scratch. When they entered the shelter, they were allowed to bring only one bag each, leaving behind nearly all their belongings. With no current income, rebuilding even the most basic comforts of home feels overwhelming. MJ is hoping for help to purchase essential household items like blankets, pillows, pots, and other necessities to make their new space livable and comfortable. After everything they have endured, this support would help transform an empty apartment into a warm, stable home, a place where both he and his mother can rest, recover, and begin again with dignity. This is wish 1 of 2.