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.

When the gym is closed and the court is wet, Bria’s favorite way to stay in the game is to play online with her friends, sinking threes on a virtual court and trading playful trash talk from wherever they happen to be. For a young woman who has spent years moving from place to place, those games are a way to stay connected to people who feel like family. An Xbox gift card would let her choose the games, add-ons, and extras she’s been wanting, and keep her squad together long after the final buzzer. It’s a gift that lets her relax, laugh, and enjoy being nineteen.