Sawyer, 9 years old, MO | 3 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Sawyer has been through many challenges in his young life and came into foster care after experiencing abuse and time in residential placement. Despite those hardships, he continues working hard to grow emotionally and socially. Sawyer has faced significant challenges throughout his foster care journey. He entered his current foster home from a residential placement after struggling with anger, self-esteem, and relationships with other children. Sawyer often feels discouraged and frequently tells himself that he is "stupid" or incapable of doing things right, making it difficult for him to build confidence and connect with others. He enjoys exploring outside, looking for rocks, fishing, and learning new things in nature. He is a bright child with a caring heart who benefits greatly from structure, support, and opportunities to build confidence. Despite these challenges, his foster parent has discovered that kayaking is one of the few activities that truly excites him and helps him engage in a positive way

Sawyer wishes for a kayak because being outdoors is one of the few things that truly brings him peace, confidence, and joy. He loves exploring nature, searching for rocks, fishing, and spending time near the water. Outdoor activities help him feel calm and provide a healthy outlet for his energy and emotions. After experiencing abuse and spending time in residential placement, Sawyer has faced challenges with anger, self-esteem, and connecting with others. However, he lights up whenever he talks about outdoor adventures. As he and his foster family continue working through the impacts of his past experiences, spending time in nature remains one of the activities that helps him feel his best. Having a kayak of his own would mean much more than receiving a recreational item. It would give Sawyer an opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills, and create positive memories with his foster family. Kayaking would provide a healthy outlet for stress, encourage him to stay active, and give him something exciting to look forward to as he continues his healing journey. This wish would help Sawyer experience a sense of freedom, accomplishment, and success while strengthening his self-esteem and creating lasting positive memories. More than just a kayak, it would provide joy, connection, and an opportunity to continue growing through experiences that bring out the very best in him.