Akira, 24 years old, NJ

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Akira is a fun loving, sassy, young adult who lights up room with her personality. It is difficult to be around Akira, not laugh and constantly smile. Akira has been in and out of home placement most of her life. Although she wants more than anything to live with family full time, her challenges and needs may not be met, even with the unconditional love provided to her by her grandmother. Akira is kind hearted, always drawing pictures or writing songs for the people in her life she cares about. She often refers to the staff at her programs as her "mom", "sister", "aunty" to recreate a family setting for herself. She is either telling a joke, singing, dancing, or advocating for herself or other young people in similar situations. Akira enjoys going to school to learn new things and be social with her peers. To know Akira is to love her for all her special and unique qualities.

Akira is planning an upcoming trip with her Grandmother to visit some of her cousins, who she has never met. They will be staying at a relative's home and Akira needs a place to sleep. Akira has recently been reconnected with her grandmother and extended family after years of being in foster care without contact. Her grandmother has limited financial resources and is covering Akira's other needs while she will away. Akira is very excited to meet with her cousins, in person, for the first time and be reconnected with family, which as meant the world to her for a very long time.