***FOUNDER NOTE***
"What wishes do you want to grant?"
I ask my daughters this every year on their birthday. Today, Mia (who is pictured above) turns 15 and when I asked her this question, she answered right away. "Shoes!"
Mia loves shoes. Ever since she was a little girl, she loved picking out new shoes. As she has gotten older, shoes have become a big part of how she expresses herself.
We receive 100s of wishes for shoes ever year. Most often it is not because a child or young adult doesn't have any shoes, but rather because there is a particular pair that they have been dreaming about; a pair that really expresses who they are.
It is so important that we encourage this. So much empowerment can be found in being able to show up in the world just as you wish to be seen. Like all our wishes, shoes are not just things. They really are a key piece of self-expression as we grow up and figure out what fits.
Today, in honor of Mia's birthday, I thought it might be cool to ask our supporters to grant wishes that she chose. I really love showing kids that their voices matter and that they can - and should - share that voice with the world.
If the shoe fits,
Danielle (& The OSW Team)
