Mia's Journey

Meet Mia. 

When Mia first came to CEDARS, she kept people at a distance, careful not to reveal too much. Like many kids who have learned to protect themselves, Mia had built walls to keep people far away. She was carrying the weight of uncertainty from years of abuse in her home. 

We knew that earning her trust would take patience and care. Day by day, we worked to help her feel safe enough to let her guard down. Slowly, Mia began to open up. She found a job, returned to school, and even started seeing a therapist. Each step forward was small but meaningful; a sign that the support around her was making a difference. 

Recently, one of CEDARS education specialists joined Mia to buy textbooks for her classes. For the first time, Mia openly expressed how grateful she was for CEDARS—a dramatic shift from when she first arrived.  

Her team noticed a turning point that happened over the summer. A support worker began their session together with a funny story before diving into programming. That simple, human connection helped break down the walls Mia had built. It became a new pattern: Mia and her support worker would now start their interactions with funny stories, creating a relationship built on trust, humor, and genuine connection. 

Mia’s journey shows exactly what CEDARS strives to do every day: meet kids where they are, build trusting relationships, and give them the tools and support to grow to their full potential. What once felt impossible—letting someone in, embracing new experiences—has become Mia’s new reality, thanks to a team that never gave up on her.