The sky was painted pink, white, and blue as Madison and Kenan drove home from the library one afternoon. Looking out the window, 16-year-old Kenan immediately recognized the colors.
“Oh my gosh, it’s me!” Kenan exclaimed.
The sunset mirrored the Pride flag, turning an ordinary drive into a moment of joy and recognition. For Madison, an Older Youth Empowerment Specialist at the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, it was one of many reminders of how important it is for young people to see themselves reflected in the world around them. Finding that sense of belonging has not always been easy.
The Coalition’s Older Youth Empowerment program helps LGBTQIA+ youth explore and understand their identities while recognizing how those identities can affect placement stability, family and community connections, and readiness for a successful transition from foster care into adulthood. The program also advocates for supportive environments where youth feel affirmed, valued, and empowered to be themselves.
After entering foster care as a child, Kenan has spent much of his life navigating complex family relationships while discovering and embracing his identity as a transgender young man. Today, he lives with his grandmother, who was granted guardianship on June 27, 2024, while remaining connected to his biological mother. Their journey, like many families, has included challenges, honest conversations, and moments of growth that have strengthened their relationships over time.
When Madison began working with him in January 2026, trust came slowly. Naturally shy and happiest with a phone in hand, he often preferred spending time gaming, drawing, or talking about Roblox.
Online spaces have become an important source of connection. Through gaming, he has found friendships, community, and opportunities to interact with people who understand and affirm him. For a young person whose world can sometimes feel small, those connections matter.
Creativity has also become a powerful outlet. A sketchbook is almost always within reach, filled with drawings and ideas. Whether he’s talking about art, Warrior Cats, or the latest blind box collectible, there is a spark that appears when discussing the things he loves. Just recently, he celebrated his birthday and was thrilled to open a blind box containing the exact cat he had hoped for.
Over the past year, growth has shown up in both big and small ways. After recently being diagnosed with autism, he has continued learning more about himself while preparing to return to in-person school after spending time learning online. Taking that step requires courage, especially for a teenager who often feels most comfortable at home.
Much of Madison’s work centers on creating a space where questions can be asked freely, identity can be explored safely, and conversations happen without judgment. Sometimes that means discussing gender and what it means to be queer in today’s world. Other times it looks like answering random questions during a car ride or simply listening.
“The discomfort isn’t about who he is,” Madison explained. “It’s about the world around him not always being accepting.”
One of the most meaningful parts of the relationship has been helping him imagine a future. For many transgender youth, seeing adults who affirm them and live authentically can make all the difference. It expands what feels possible.
“I try to get Kenan to remember that there’s an entire life waiting for him,” Madison said. “The world is not as small as it feels right now.”
That support has extended beyond individual conversations. Building understanding within the family has been an important part of the work, including navigating difficult discussions with his grandmother about gender identity and affirmation. Progress has not always been straightforward, but it has been meaningful. In fact, he recently thanked Madison for continuing to help his grandmother better understand him.
This Pride Month, we celebrate more than milestones. We celebrate resilience, self-discovery, creativity, and the power of having even one trusted adult who consistently shows up. Because sometimes the most important thing a young person can hear is that they are not alone, they are worthy of love and acceptance, and there is a future waiting for them exactly as they are.