Have you ever just met someone but felt like you had been friends for years. That’s exactly how we felt when we met Ryam and Jamie Teran. From the moment we heard their story and witnessed their passion firsthand for the local community, we knew we had to be a part of their journey.

In Orange County alone, there are over 2,000 children in the foster care system—each facing uncertainty, instability, and unimaginable challenges. Ryam’s personal experience with the foster-to-adopt process opened her eyes to the overwhelming need for awareness, advocacy, and tangible support for these children.

Pictured: Brave Bag Initiative, Back to School Bash, and Waves of Hope

From Personal Journey to Community Movement

As Ryam and Jamie navigated their adoption journey, they found themselves answering countless questions from family and friends—questions that revealed just how little people knew about the realities of foster care. What she uncovered in her research was even more alarming:

• A heartbreaking percentage of former foster children end up homeless, incarcerated, exploited, or trafficked.
• Many children enter the system with nothing but a trash bag to hold their belongings.
• The emotional and psychological trauma many of these children face is rarely addressed in a meaningful way.

Determined to make a difference, Ryam didn’t wait for change—she became the change.

The Birth of W&W Foundation

In December 2018, after a heartfelt conversation with her daughter about the dress she wore on the day she was adopted, Ryam had a realization: Every little girl deserves to feel the magic of a special dress. That moment sparked the very first W&W Foundation Initiative, resulting in over 75 Christmas dresses being donated to little girls in foster care.

Shortly after, the BRAVE Bag Initiative was born to address an often-overlooked reality: many children enter foster care with nothing but the clothes on their back. In less than two months, Ryam mobilized the donation of over 120 BRAVE Bags—each filled with essential items and a BRAVE Bear to provide comfort during an incredibly traumatic time.

What started as a simple act of kindness quickly grew into a much bigger mission—one that goes beyond immediate needs to address the “whole child.” Today, the W&W Foundation is a thriving movement that mobilizes people, organizations, and resources to ensure that every foster child receives the love, dignity, and support they deserve.

LIFT + W&W Foundation: A Partnership in Action

At LIFT, we are honored to partner with Ryam, Jamie, and the W&W Foundation to continue raising awareness, mobilizing resources, and providing direct support for children in the foster care system. Their story is one of compassion, action, and unwavering commitment, and we are proud to stand with them in this mission.

Together, we can ensure that every child in foster care feels seen, valued, and supported—because no child should have to navigate this journey alone. Learn more about Wild & Whimsy on their website and reach out to get involved!

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