Bria, 19 years old, VA | 5 DAYS WAITING

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Bria has a jump shot she perfected on a cracked neighborhood court, one that has swished through rain, wind, and more than a few bad days. When the ball leaves her hands, everything gets quiet, and for a moment she is exactly where she wants to be. She entered foster care as a child and moved through homes and schools so quickly that she learned not to unpack all the way. Basketball was the one thing that went wherever she did, giving her a team, a place to belong, and a way to turn her hardest feelings into something strong. She also found a hero in Spider-Man, a young person who lost so much and still decided to show up for others. His story is one she understands, and it reminds her that you can start with very little and still become someone who makes a difference. Now a young adult, Bria works part-time at a community recreation center, where she helps kids learn to dribble, shoot, and believe in themselves. She dreams of becoming a youth coach and physical education teacher so every child who steps onto a court knows someone is cheering them on. She is determined, quick to laugh, and ready to keep playing.

Bria has always wanted something green and cheerful in her room, but after so many moves, real plants never survived. A Spider-Man succulent, a sturdy faux plant that never needs watering and never wilts, would bring a playful touch of her favorite hero into her space. Spider-Man is a young person who lost so much and still chose to show up for others, and Bria understands his story. The succulent would sit on her shelf as a small reminder that someone who starts with very little can still grow into a hero in her own right, and that this room is hers to make her own.