Armando, 17 years old, NJ | 21 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Armando is a quiet and introspective young person who enjoys learning to play the piano at school, eating good food, and playing video games with his three online friends. He is very mindful about what he eats, often choosing fresh fruits and colorful vegetables when they are available on the school menu. He loves to cook and dreams of a future career in the culinary arts. His favorite meals are Latin dishes, and he especially treasures Puerto Rican coffee, which he gets to enjoy as a special treat during visits with his dad. Armando’s favorite colors are blue and red—blue because it feels calming and red because it feels invigorating—and he would love to have a bedroom painted in those colors. He also enjoys experimenting with his hair and is proud of the blue highlights he currently has. After experiencing abuse and neglect while in his mother’s care, he is now participating in therapy and positive family therapy sessions with his father, with the hope of reunification. Although transportation was previously a barrier, Armando has made every effort to participate in the LGBTQ+ club at school, where he feels supported and included. While he is naturally quiet and not always eager to speak up, he expressed to his social worker and CASA how important it was for him to attend and arrangements were made to ensure he could get there. Deep down, Armando has a big heart for those who struggle, a passion for helping others, and a genuine desire to be loved.

Armando has endured abuse and neglect and is now focused on building a stable, loving future. As he continues healing through therapy and finding his voice, cooking has become one of the ways he expresses himself and imagines a brighter path forward. A laptop will allow him to explore recipes, learn new culinary skills, and deepen his passion for Latin cuisine as he works toward his dream of a career in the culinary arts. It would also help him stay connected to his small circle of trusted online friends through gaming, which is an important source of comfort and belonging for him. This laptop would give Armando not only a creative outlet and educational tool, but also a connection, confidence, and hope as he prepares for the next chapter of his life.