Erika, 19 years old, OR | 31 DAYS WAITING

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Erika is the kind of young woman who carries both history and hope in the same breath. She entered foster care at just four years old after her mother went to prison, and she grew up navigating a system that often asks children to grow up far too fast. Aging out of care meant stepping into adulthood without the safety net many of her peers take for granted. But instead of letting that define her limits, Erika let it shape her resilience. Today, she is living in her own apartment, raising her child as a single mom, and building a life rooted in stability and intention. Erika has always found comfort and confidence in math and numbers. While so much of her childhood felt unpredictable, numbers made sense. They followed the rules. They balanced. They told the truth. That love has turned into a clear career path—one that reflects both her talent and her desire for financial security and independence. Every late-night study session after putting her child to bed is an act of determination. Erika isn’t just earning a degree; she’s rewriting her story—proving that aging out of foster care does not mean aging out of possibility.

Erika wants to enhance her living room with a cozy, functional addition: a pink footstool. This footstool would provide a comfortable place to rest her feet while she relaxes and would also add a cheerful pop of color to the space. A pink footstool would make her living room feel warmer, more welcoming, and more comfortable, creating a perfect spot for her to unwind and enjoy her home.