Serving on the board of directors for the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation is one of my greatest privileges. This foundation is hugely impactful to the community I grew up in and to the people I’ve considered friends, family, and neighbors my entire life. The work that this foundation does is so important to me because I know intimately the struggles faced by so many families in our communities. I grew up in a single-parent, minimum wage home with two other siblings. When I look at the requests that come in for KIND Fund support, I see myself, my brother, and my little sister. I know how hard it is for kids to have to go to school five days a week in the same clothes, or to sit in class wearing wet socks all day because they only have a pair of canvas shoes to wear in the winter. I also saw how hard it was on my dad to do the best he could and still feel like he was failing his kids because he had to choose between food and school clothes. This foundation and the many avenues of support it provides changes lives. And it’s not only about the resources—it’s about being seen and knowing that someone cares enough about your outcomes that they went and did something. That makes a person feel loved and valued.