Taliya struggled greatly after her mom’s early death left her in kinship care. Already shy, she began isolating herself socially. She skipped school, and eventually was expelled.

But Taliya didn’t walk away from Friends of the Children.

She had built a strong bond with her Friend Anne, who showed up – week after week – to do art, to talk, to be together.

Even when Friend Jen became her new mentor, Taliya stayed. And Jen continued the work the same way – by meeting Taliya exactly where she was.

Jen scheduled mentoring visits when the Friends Clubhouse was quiet, keeping things low-key. Together, they tackled TikTok recipes that spoke to Taliya’s creative spirit: Hot Cheeto fried pickles and Hot Cheeto mozzarella sticks. There was no pressure in the Clubhouse kitchen, just space to connect, even in small ways.

Outside of those moments, things were harder, and for a long time, Taliya resisted much-needed therapy. But eventually, through steady presence and trust, something began to shift.Talyia agreed to the therapy. To get herself back on track in school. To become someone her little brother could depend on. In her words, “to be better.”

It’s a significant step on a path toward healing and possibility. And Friends will continue to walk that path with Taliya, no matter what.

*name changed for privacy