A child abuse survivor since the age of 2 when he received burns over 43% of his body at the hands of his mother, Elijah Evans was removed from his home and placed into foster care where he remained for almost three years before being adopted by one of his nurses, an angel named Lynore Harding.  

But even though his own story had a happy ending, Elijah couldn't stop thinking about what he could do to remind other foster children that they mattered. As a child, he would fantasize about going to a Christmas party. So, when he was 12, he began speaking at schools and churches about his experiences. He recruited volunteers, organized fundraisers, and worked hand in hand with the Department of Children and Family Services to hold his first annual "Christmas of Hope" party for foster kids. He also organized an annual back-to-school party called "Ohana," which is Hawaiian for "Extended Family."

Elijah has had so much success that he and Lynore were able to found their own 501(c)(3) charity called NUFA, which stands for "No Use For Abuse."  Their upcoming projects include a scholarship program, parenting classes, empowerment seminars for abuse survivors, and other fundraisers to help foster children get the equipment and opportunities they need to participate in extracurricular activities. 

Fifteen years after the unspeakable abuse that sent him on his spectacular path to reminding all kids that they matter, Elijah is still undergoing medical treatment for the burns and other wounds he suffered. For taking a terrible time in his life and transforming it into opportunity and empowerment for foster children everywhere, Elijah Evans is our latest Peace Fund Radio Hero of the Week.