Kristiona, 30 years old, CO | 2 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Kristiona was placed in foster care at the age of two. She was adopted but later bounced around from foster home to foster home at the age of nine. After being returned to foster care, she aged out. Despite facing everyday obstacles and medical issues, Kristiona became independent and started her college journey, which has been successful. She has graduated with her Bachelor's degree and is now looking to continue her education to work with children. Currently, she works as a teacher at an early head start preschool and enjoys every moment of it. Kristiona is committed to breaking the generational cycle of abuse and lack of education. Her ultimate goal is to own and run a summer camp for children in foster care, providing them with not only fun but also therapeutic and mentoring support.

This wish is deeply meaningful to Kristiona because art has become one of her most important ways to find peace and express herself. Painting provides her with a creative outlet when her mind feels overwhelming, helping her focus on something hopeful and grounding. Over time, the paintbrushes she relies on have become worn, brittle, and broken from frequent use. A new set of brushes would allow Kristiona to continue creating and using art as a positive space where she can process her thoughts, find calm, and choose to keep moving forward, even during difficult moments.