Aaliyah's Story

The Aaliyah Rose Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to honor the memory of Aaliyah Rose—a young woman whose life was defined by resilience, compassion, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. Our mission is to empower individuals and strengthen communities through acts of compassion, education, and support. 

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Aaliyah's journey began in 2018 when she entered foster care. The following year, 2019, I, Kyrie, met her while fostering her younger sister. In 2020, her mother's rights were terminated, making Aaliyah available for adoption, with her then-foster family planning to adopt her in December. However, in 2021, those plans fell through due to behavioral concerns, and Aaliyah moved into my home. A few days later, her previous foster family reversed their decision, and caseworkers, with police assistance, removed her from my home against her will while I was at work. Just days later, the adoptive family again changed their mind, sending Aaliyah to a new stranger's home. Aaliyah asked her then caseworker to call me, he refused. 

 

Between 2021 and 2022, Aaliyah endured the instability of thirteen different foster home placements, some of which subjected her to further abuse, despite asking the child welfare agency to be placed with me. In 2022, Aaliyah returned to my care with nothing but a duffel bag and backpack because the number of moves misplaced all of her personal belonging. Aaliyah finally felt safe, only to face the threat of being sent to Mexico to live with her biological father, a man she didn't know and who had no contact with her other than verbally abusing her via Facebook Messenger. In 2023, after Aaliyah's strong objections, the courts agreed to begin the process of terminating his rights to move towards adoption.

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2024 brought further delays and cancellations, though a new caseworker finally showed genuine care, and a September court date was set, with intent to adopt paperwork completed. Tragically, on September 3, 2024, Aaliyah passed away; still a ward of the state, still bearing a name she resented. In 2025, the Aaliyah Rose Foundation was established to honor her memory by positively impacting the lives of others. Aaliyah looked forward to the day we stood in front of the judge who had held her life in his hands for the last decade and officially heard that she was legally, forever ours, Aaliyah Rose Allen Mixson. Though we will not see that day come, we look forward to the days that this foundation brings others joy, comfort, and relief.