Gary, 16 years old, MO | 1 DAY WAITING

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Gary is in foster care and has faced many challenges throughout his life. Growing up, he often took on adult responsibilities and helped care for family members. Even with these difficulties, Gary continues to work hard and do his best every day. He recently moved to a new foster home in a town where he does not know many people. He is still adjusting and is having a hard time making friends. One of the most difficult parts of this transition is being separated from his sister. They live in different homes and do not get to see each other often, but Gary cares deeply about his family and is very protective of them. Gary enjoys helping his foster dad on the farm and takes pride in being a hard worker. Because he spent so much time helping others growing up, he has not had many chances to develop hobbies of his own. He enjoys reading and is interested in learning how to play video games so he can connect with other kids his age.

Gary is struggling to find a friend group in his new town. He recently moved to a new foster home following a disruption in his previous placement, and the move happened just before the end of the school year. Because he arrived so late in the school year, he had very little opportunity to meet classmates or build friendships. Gary lives in a small town with limited opportunities for kids his age to socialize outside of school. He has noticed that many of his peers enjoy playing Xbox and often talk about their favorite games. Gary would love an Xbox console so he can learn how to play, join in those conversations, and connect with other youth his age. For Gary, this wish is about much more than video games. He hopes that learning to play will help him build friendships and feel more included in his community. He also dreams of eventually inviting peers over to play, giving him opportunities to strengthen social connections and create a sense of belonging. After experiencing multiple changes and challenges, having a way to connect with others would mean so much to him and help him feel more confident and accepted among his peers.