Hi, my name is Gia Avaloz. I’m 18 years old. I am Native American, my tribes are Lakota, Sioux and Blackfeet and I recently committed to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to study Painting and Fine Arts. Art has always been my outlet, it’s how I process things, how I express myself, and how I’ve learned to turn pain into something meaningful. I grew up in the foster care system and was raised by my aunt, who became my legal guardian. She’s done everything she could for me, but we just don’t have the money to cover everything that comes with college. My dad passed away and my mom lost custody of me when I was born, so growing up hasn’t been easy. There were a lot of hard days but through it all, I learned how to take care of myself, how to stay strong, and how to keep going. Getting into SAIC was so important to me. It’s one of the best art schools in the country, and I’m so proud I made it here. But I’m facing a financial gap that’s hard to fill on my own. I’m raising money to help cover basic living expenses, art supplies, and tuition. Anything helps, even just a little. Thank you for listening, and for supporting me.