Harper, 18 years old, NJ | NEEDED BY 07/10

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Harper's life resembles a Cinderella story. Throughout much of her childhood, she was expected to care for her younger siblings, including her autistic brother, Jimmy, and her much younger sister, Nina, who was almost like a daughter to her. Harper is a kind and generous person, and she devoted a lot of love to her siblings, sacrificing her own childhood to protect and nurture Jimmy and Nina. She cooked for them, did their laundry, helped them bathe, and frequently reassured Jimmy, who struggled with the family's instability. When the children entered foster care, Harper found it difficult to let go of her responsibilities for her siblings. Even in their shared foster home, where a resource parent was available to fulfill that role, she continued her pattern of caregiving for Jimmy and Nina.

Upon turning 18, Harper moved out of her resource home and into her own living space—an attic room that she is renting in a house. While she loves Jimmy and Nina, she is finally prioritizing her own needs. Harper is excited about planning for her future and is exploring GED programs to complete her high school education. As summer temperatures rise, she is realizing how hot her small, uninsulated attic space can get. To make the next few months more comfortable, she has asked for a portable air conditioning unit. After spending so many years worrying about others, Harper would greatly appreciate having someone provide her with comfort.