Midnight's Story

You're 19 years old. You're an omnivert who is creative, passionate, and full of big dreams. You are passionate about theater, art, and animation. American Sign Language and songwriting become your outlets, a way to say what feels unspeakable. You love expressing yourself, but sometimes, you keep parts of you hidden.

Because before coming to the Children’s Attention Home, life was different—unstable, lonely, and heavy.

You’ve been in care since you were two, bouncing from place to place. When home isn’t safe, you do whatever it takes to survive. You leave before things get worse—before the hurt becomes too much to handle. You run because you have to. Maybe you don’t know exactly where you are going, but anywhere has to be better than where you are.

But running doesn’t make the pain disappear. It follows you and weighs you down in ways no one else sees. Some nights, it’s too much. You wonder if it would be easier to just let go, to stop fighting. You tried—more than once.

But somehow, you’re still here. Maybe that means something and there’s still a reason to keep holding on.

Your first few days at the Home are a blur. As you settle into Freeman Cottage, everything feels new, unfamiliar. Mr. Earl, Mr. Josh, and Ms. Latrice are the first people you meet—they’re chill, understanding in a way that makes you feel… safe. No judgment, no pressure.

You find comfort in the little things—munching on Takis, chatting with staff, getting lost in your art. Getting used to things like chores, safety drills, and schedules takes time. Soon, the routine helps you know what to expect. For the first time in a while, something feels steady and predictable.

As time goes on, your trust grows. When you need to process something, you turn to Ms. Ashley. When you need help getting on track, Ms. Alicia is there. Their consistent presence helps you feel like you matter. You begin to blossom, open up, and try new things.

Two years later and look how far you’ve come! You join a youth theater company and discover it’s your passion. You step onto the stage to perform The Lion King and feel the energy of the crowd. It’s where you belong.

Soon after, you apply for your first real job as a performer at Carowinds—and you get it! Your fellow performers at Scarowinds and Winterfest aren’t just coworkers. They become your community. You laugh, rehearse, and push each other to be better. Plus, you're saving through the 40% program, planning for what's next.

To keep taking steps toward your goals, you transition from enhanced care to moderate care. This big change is both hard and exciting. Thankfully, you can stay at the Home and still see your favorite people. Next up—Driver’s Ed! Soon, you can get yourself where you need to go.

Soon you will graduate! You are still working at Carowinds, and this summer, you are both a supervisor and performer. Even more exciting, you earn that much-needed pay raise.

As you dream of the future, you see yourself in New York! You envision yourself on a Broadway stage, amidst the hustle of the city, performing in front of packed audiences. Maybe you’re balancing college and rehearsals, pushing yourself to new limits. And finally, you feel a new sense of belonging.

When the time comes, you want to have a family and give them the good life you never had. You’re still performing, maybe even doing voice acting.

Your story isn’t ending. A new chapter is just beginning. It’s still being written.