Steve, 16 years old, VA | 9 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Steve entered foster care at age 9 and has faced challenges that no child should have to navigate alone. Despite those experiences, he is incredibly strong, protective, and determined. Steve loves MMA, working out, and physical fitness, and those interests have become a positive outlet for his energy and confidence. He has also shown remarkable courage in speaking up when others were being harmed. He helped report two separate situations in which adults were abusing children and helped a girl get away from an abusive situation. Those experiences say a lot about his instinct to protect others and stand up for what is right. He deserves opportunities to enjoy being a kid, pursue the activities he loves, and know that people support him and his future.

Steve has never asked for a laptop before, not because he wouldn’t benefit from one, but because he never thought having one of his own was possible. As he gets closer to adulthood, a laptop could open doors he has never had the opportunity to explore. He could use it for schoolwork, research, creating a résumé, applying for jobs, and looking into college, trade programs, certifications, and careers connected to his love of fitness and MMA. It would also help him build the computer and organizational skills he will need as he becomes more independent. For Steve, this would be much more than a piece of technology. It would give him access to opportunities, information, and a future he is only beginning to realize he can work toward.