Koa, 17 years old, NJ | 11 DAYS WAITING

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Koa is an amazing young woman who does well in everything she tries. She lives with her mom, who has a disability, and her older sister, who is in college. She has faced many challenges in her life, including dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and depression, but she has shown great resilience. After dealing with a tough childhood, including abusive situations with her father, Koa didn’t start speaking until she was five years old. She worked hard in therapy to improve her speech and learn how to walk. Growing up, Koa faced social challenges and bullying, where kids called her "weird" and "fat." Despite this, she succeeded in losing weight by walking and eating healthy, and she has kept a 4.0 GPA in high school for three years. People say she is gifted and talented. Koa loves to research different topics, and she learned makeup and beauty techniques from YouTube. She enjoys working out, taking care of herself, and exploring sports and fashion. Koa dreams of becoming a part-time model and a full-time therapist to help children who have been through similar experiences. She has made good friends in her therapy group and has moved past self-harm. Even though her family faces financial struggles, Koa’s accomplishments show how strong and determined she is.

Koa would like a utility cart to help with her hairstyling work while she is in college. She is working hard to balance school and build her skills in hair and makeup, and she hopes to earn a small income by offering her services. She plans to become a certified cosmetologist in the future. A utility cart would help her stay organized by holding her tools like makeup, curlers, clips, and combs. It would also make it easier for her to move and set up her supplies in a professional way. Koa is very motivated and also has dreams of becoming a therapist and helping children one day.