Aliya, 16 years old, NE | 1 DAY WAITING

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Aliya was abandoned by her mother as a baby and later experienced neglect and abuse at the hands of her father, who placed her with traffickers before being deported. She has not heard from him since and became a ward of the state shortly afterward. Despite the tremendous hardship she has endured, Aliya remains a sweet and kind teenager who tends to be quiet and avoids drawing attention to herself. Over the past year, however, she has slowly begun to come out of her shell after being placed with her former stepmother, Lily, where she is truly thriving. Lily is pursuing guardianship of Aliya, and the two have developed an exceptionally close bond. Although Lily's cancer diagnosis has made their circumstances more challenging, she is responding well to treatment and has a positive prognosis. The financial strain of treatment has required Lily to rely on assistance and disability benefits to help meet their needs, but she continues to provide Aliya with the love, stability, and support she needs. Lily has helped Aliya catch up in school and has created a safe space for her to work through the trauma she has experienced. Aliya happily helps around the house and especially enjoys finding fun ways to style Lily's wig and makeup as she navigates hair loss from chemotherapy. To Aliya, Lily is the mother she never had and the person she knows she can always turn to. While their future may be uncertain, the love, trust, and respect they share are undeniable.

Aliya is a foster child who has experienced significant trauma throughout her life, including neglect, abandonment, and trafficking. Her former stepmother, Lily, is currently working toward obtaining guardianship of Aliya and has become the only safe and consistent parental figure she has ever known. Lily is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to fight stomach cancer, but despite the challenges of treatment, the two have found special moments of joy together through hair and makeup. Aliya loves helping Lily find creative ways to style her wig and do her makeup so she feels comfortable and confident. This Christmas, Lily hopes to surprise Aliya with a special makeup mirror of her own. Aliya rarely asks for anything, but Lily would love to give her something that celebrates their bond and reminds her just how appreciated, cherished, and loved she is.