Jenna, 19 years old, CA | NEEDED BY 07/03

Wish submitted by:

Jenna is a resilient young woman who has overcome numerous obstacles in her life. She moved into extended foster care housing after living in a group home, taking important steps toward independence. Despite facing significant challenges that have impacted her mental health, Jenna is actively engaged in therapy, learning healthy coping skills to navigate life’s difficulties. She stayed on track to graduate high school, a milestone she once thought might never come, and she is genuinely excited about reaching it. While she has friends she can turn to during tough days, her siblings remain her greatest source of support, even though they live in different states. For fun, Jenna enjoys creating art, which allows her to express herself and find joy in her everyday life. Jenna’s determination, creativity, and support system highlight her strength and promise for the future.

Jenna wishes for a grocery store gift card to help meet her basic food needs as she adjusts to living independently in her new apartment. Having moved into her apartment just last week, Jenna is excited about this new chapter in her life and is working hard to build a stable foundation for herself. Jenna has already taken important steps toward becoming self-sufficient. She has applied for CalFresh/EBT benefits and is actively seeking employment. In fact, she has a job interview scheduled and is hopeful that it will lead to an employment opportunity. While she waits for a hiring decision and the processing of her food assistance application, she is experiencing a gap in resources and is struggling to afford groceries. Recognizing her immediate need, two of Jenna's support workers recently assisted her with some quick and easy meals to help her get through a few days. While this support has been helpful, it is only a temporary solution, and Jenna remains concerned about how she will access food until she begins receiving income or her EBT benefits are approved. A grocery store gift card would provide Jenna with the ability to purchase essential food items and maintain access to nutritious meals during this transition period. Having reliable access to groceries would help reduce the stress and uncertainty she is currently experiencing and allow her to focus on preparing for employment and settling into her new home.