Justin, 2017
In 2011, high school students brutally attacked seventh-grader Justin. He had six shattered teeth and a bone fragment lodged in the gum under his nose. His subsequent years, marred by homelessness, neglect, and a journey through foster care, could not afford him the costly dental reconstruction he needed. Continuous mouth pain from an ill-fitting bridge and the emotional weight of attack-induced depression followed him throughout his youth. After an exhaustive international search for affordable dental surgery, Watermark for Kids stepped in. The program covered Justin’s surgery expenses, relieving him from having to choose between dental health and financial stability. Today, Justin is a thriving author and entrepreneur.