Aili's Story

Aili’s hope for stability in her near future and life is very strong, emotionally, physically, and financially. These are some things she fears she didn’t get a chance to have as she was growing up, in terms of financial hardship, eviction, and a family shaped around addiction. She’s very open about the jealousy she feels towards others who had more of a traditional and stable childhood. One of her biggest goals is to reach a place in her life where she doesn’t feel the longevity within having to be defined by what she doesn’t have, but rather be proud of the life she’s built. She’s excited to finish her accelerated master's program degree, and she dreams of writing to educate people about substance abuse career-wise, and who knows, maybe even writing a book. She hopes to hold the people she loves most closest to her, especially her grandparents, mother, and close friends, and to simply feel supported, at peace, and loved, and to be at peace with where she is.