I know what it feels like to pack your life into a trash bag.
I know what it feels like to walk into a new house and not know if you’re staying two weeks or two years.
I know what it feels like to pretend you’re okay at school when your whole life feels unstable.
There are moments throughout the year that remind us why community matters and Red Kite Nite 2026 was one of them. The event was a reflection of what happens when a village comes together with a shared purpose: to ensure every young person has the opportunity to dream bigger and achieve more.
Nick, 17, had been living in hotels around Atlanta with his mom and two siblings for more than a year. There was physical and emotional abuse, food insecurity, prevalent substance abuse, and very little structure or supervision. Diagnosed with ADHD and intellectual disabilities, Nick started acting out. He was suspended from school twice in just a few weeks, took his mother’s car without permission and refused his medication.
Dressing for success, from head to toe and all points in between, is more about capturing the air of positivity than showing off the hottest designer gear and bling.
Edana has learned that growth doesn’t require perfect conditions; only resilience, support and the courage to keep going. Growing up, Edana’s childhood was marked by instability. When she was seven, her older brother was removed from their home. By the time she was...
At 20 years old, Devin now feels confident about the future he is building and has strong faith in his direction. Growing up, he spent time in foster homes and under the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
At 18, many young adults rely on parents and friends for guidance, stability and a safety net when life becomes difficult. For thousands of teens leaving foster care, that support is absent.
For most of her life, Alexis has navigated challenges far beyond what many young people face. Entering foster care at just 12 years old, she moved through multiple homes, three different high schools and a constant cycle of change. Stability was rare.
“She was basically an angel for me; always there and came out to support me whenever I needed it.” Those are the words of Alex, an ambitious 21-year-old who faced challenges early in his life.
For LifeSet young adult Lauryn, family is more than just biological ties; it’s the people she’s met in her journey.