From Lexie: "Physical and emotional abuse were a big part of my everyday life growing up. With both parents who were addicted to drugs and alcohol I spent most of my younger years in and out of foster care until 2009 when I was told I would stay in foster care. Some things don’t change and I now have custody of my 14 year old sister as well as being a first time mother to a newborn baby girl. I don’t want our past to define who we are, I want it to strengthen who we are. I started cosmetology school prior to having my daughter and am ready to finish school. I also have an amazing opportunity to start a paid internship to work toward becoming A Certified Addictions Counselor, helping those overcome the obstacles my family faced and were not able get through. I want my sister to know she can do anything she wants with her life, my daughter to be proud of me, and for other kids from foster care to know that just because you grew up in foster care and have a rough childhood, it does not define you. In order to finish my cosmetology license and start my classes for the internship, I need a laptop that will allow me to do my classes online and care for my daughter. This would make a huge difference in our lives and would help me follow my dreams."