Help Eric gain a smile that amplifies confidence

Hi! My name is Stephanie and I’m asking all of the really amazing people I know to help us raise funds so that our friend Eric can finally get braces and the smile he deserves. Eric is 16 and living in full time foster care until he ages out.

I was gifted the opportunity to meet Eric through my son Tyson while chaperoning their 4th grade field trip. Eric and I shared a seat, and the rest was history. He immediately inspired me with his humor, sweet demeanor, and charisma. We had the chance to spend more time with him via sleepovers and family outings that year. When 5th grade started Tyson came home crushed after announcing that his buddy was no longer at the school and we had no way to reach him.

This year Eric re-emerged in our lives. He’s in 10th grade and attends the same school once again with Tyson while living full time in a foster care cottage with other young men. He has been living in foster care for nearly 5 years at this point.

While my schedule doesn’t enable me to formally adopt or foster Eric on a full time basis, we’ve worked through the background checks and lengthy process so we can at least have him stay with us overnight for extended periods of time. Over the last few months, I’ve been especially proud to see Eric improve his grades in school and get a part time job. His future is bright and we’re overjoyed to be in his life as his bonus family.

While Eric’s general healthcare is covered through the foster care system, he has no access to orthodontic care and needs braces. He never smiles in photos or around people he doesn’t know, and it impacts his confidence. With your help, we can raise the funds needed to get Eric braces and a bright smile that matches his spirit.

He has endured a great deal in his short life, and the goal is to help him realize a future filled with reasons to smile and people who care about him.

Thank you for helping Eric!

(Photo shared with Eric's permission)