Liam

Liam is seven. He was pulled out of school often in his early years — to move, to help look after younger siblings, to cover for adults who couldn't. He missed whole chunks of first grade.

A neighbor's concern triggered the call that led to Liam's placement. His foster parents sat with him the first night and just listened — to a kid who had more inside him than anyone had stopped to hear.

He is quick at math and gaining fast at reading. He runs. He is kind to the younger kids in his foster family in a way that suggests he's done this before. He's a softer version of himself now than when he arrived.

Catch up to grade level in reading. Make the honor roll. Join the school track team — his gym teacher has been telling him all year that he's fast.

Weekly tutoring, after-school programs, and supplies that let his foster family focus on his emotional world, not on figuring out how to afford new sneakers.