Graves, 21 years old, PA | 2 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Graves was born and raised in a small rural town in the Deep South, where they experienced a difficult and often unsafe home environment. After their family discovered that they are queer and transgender, and that they had begun taking steps to live authentically, the situation escalated, leaving them without the support and stability every young person deserves. With limited options, Graves made the courageous decision to leave everything behind. With the help of an online friend, they were able to travel to Philadelphia in search of safety and a chance to start over. Since then, they have faced periods of homelessness while working tirelessly to rebuild their life. Despite these challenges, Graves has remained determined to create a stable and meaningful future. They are currently engaged with Hand2Paw, where they are gaining hands-on experience and exploring a career pathway in animal welfare, something they are deeply passionate about. Graves’ journey is one of resilience, courage, and self-determination. They are not only seeking stability, but also the opportunity to grow, heal, and build a life where they can thrive authentically.

As Graves prepares to begin the interview process, having appropriate clothing and shoes is essential to making a strong first impression and feeling confident. After experiencing homelessness and working hard to rebuild stability, access to professional attire remains a barrier to securing employment. Through their participation with Hand2Paw, Graves has shown dedication to building a future in animal welfare and is now approaching the critical next step, securing full-time employment. A gift card to Walmart would allow them to purchase the clothing and shoes needed to present themselves professionally and step into interviews with confidence. This support would not only meet an immediate need, but also help position Graves for long-term stability and success as they transition into the workforce. This is wish 1 of 2.