Ethnicity: White

Grade: 7th

Health: Wears glasses

Diagnosis: Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Background: Jakeob has been in a group home for high-care foster youth for three years. He is about to graduate from their behavioral program. He is resistant to adoption as he has not had much luck getting along with foster families in the past and looks for an escape route as soon as he feels things are not going to go well. He generally expects things are not going to go well. He is intelligent and earns high grades in school, but doesn’t have any real friends and is often sent to detention or the principal’s office for defiant outbursts. He also feels he is too old to be adopted and rather “bide his time in the system” than try to get close with anyone. 

Ethnicity: Black or African American

Grade: 5th

Background: Marquisha recently entered the foster care system and is in need of a foster family until biological family members can be contacted and vetted for permanent foster care/guardianship. Marquisha gets average grades in school and has a few close friends with whom she likes to skate with on the weekends. Her favorite food is hot dogs and she enjoys reading books about historical figures.  

Ethnicity: Two or more races 

Health: Frequent ear infections and stomach aches, possible food allergies

Diagnosis: Attachment disorder not otherwise specified

Background: Maryann enjoys coloring, especially with only 2 colors at a time. Her diet needs to be carefully monitored as she is prone to stomach upsets, but the cause has not been determined and she has not had a regular pediatrician to follow up on initial symptoms.  She is sensitive to environmental pathogens, such as cigarette and marijuana smoke, and gets ear infections easily. Maryann enjoys spending individualized time with caregivers but does not enjoy the company of other children and will sometimes isolate herself when too many people are around. 

Ethnicity: Hispanic

Grade: 9^th 

Health: Obese, wears glasses

Diagnosis: prehypertension, generalized anxiety disorder

Background: Jesus has been a foster child for 7 years. He has wanted to find a home and be adopted but has not been placed yet with a family that is willing to adopt an older child. He is hardworking and often offers to do chores around the house. He is looking forward to turning 16 so he can get a regular job and start earning some money for himself. He doesn’t do very well in school. His attendance is regular, and his grades are generally low and he has been held back a grade. He has had to move schools several times. 

Ethnicity: Asian

Grade: 9^th 

Health: Family history of platelet disease, underweight, allergic to gluten

Diagnosis: dyslexic, R/O eating disorder, non-specified

Background: Luke enjoys playing soccer and generally does well in school when given proper accommodations. He is generally quiet and can take some time to warm up to new people. He enjoys drawing and sees a therapist weekly. Has not voiced a preference for adoption and has been placed in two different foster homes over the past year. 

Ethnicity: Two or more races

Background: Susan recently entered the foster care system and has been placed in emergency care until a suitable home can be identified. Susan is a very curious child and enjoys puzzles and investigating outdoors. She has a Winnie the Pooh blanket that she keeps with her at all times for comfort. She is not fully toilet trained – she wears pull-ups and knows how to ask to use the restroom, but still needs some help there. 

 

Ethnicity: Black or African American

Health: Seasonal allergies, takes seizure medication

Diagnosis: Asthma, epilepsy

Background: Florian was born in Haiti. He has no previous ties to his family or culture with the exception of a children’s book written in French that he has memorized. Florian is very bright and loves to learn. He is friendly and easy going but does need extra attention around bedtime to calm and go to sleep. 

Ethnicity: White

Siblings: Wendy (2yrs), Conner (6yrs) 

Health: malnourished

Background: Carol has just entered the foster care system with her brother Conner and her sister Wendy. Carol cries often and is not easily comforted by anyone other than her brother Conner who holds her often and shows her his toys. She particularly likes the large soft blocks at the case worker’s office. 

Ethnicity: White

Siblings: Carol (6 months), Conner (6yrs) 

Health: malnourished

Background: Wendy is a very quiet child, possibly speech delayed. She is not yet toilet trained. She prefers a bottle over a sippy cup or a straw. She chews on her knuckles and avoids making eye contact. She does not enjoy hugs but allows her brother Conner to put his arm around her shoulders. Wendy is fond of the color yellow.  

Ethnicity: White

Grade:  1^st 

Health: malnourished, needs corrective lenses 

Background: Conner has a lot of energy and loves to play outside. He is very protective of his two younger sisters and readily helps to feed and care for them. He will speak for his sisters when adults ask them questions. Conner has a great sense of humor and loves playing with kids his own age. He wants to do gymnastics, cheer leading, or drama when he gets older and his sisters don’t need as much attention. 

We intend to respect their heritage and seek out role models who can help them grow into their own selves. We hope to share our current family culture, including raising them bilingually, while creating new family traditions.

Our current community is also very diverse. Every day, we see and celebrate families of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures. We are looking forward to building new relationships in our new home and community.

While we may not fit the traditional definition of a family, we are grateful to live in a time and place that values all families.

We live in a comfortable home on a quiet street at the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. We are active members in our church which provides great teachings focused on strengthening the family. We both grew up in homes where honesty, integrity, hard work, and respect for self and others were modeled, valued, and expected. It is our goal to teach those same traits to you.