DevanteDevante is a 12 year old boy who loves being active and on-the-go. He likes to run in 5K races and participates in a running club. Devante also has a “green thumb” as he has helped to grow and harvest a number of fruits and vegetables in the garden. He’s always looking for ways to help out and he loves to cut grass and use the weed-eater around the building grounds. He also takes care of the rabbits and chickens making sure they have enough water, food, and attention. Devante is a neat kid with good energy that he likes to put to use as he says that he doesn’t “have time” for video games.
ChrisChris has a smile that can light up a room! He likes to watch and play all kinds of sports and prefers to shoot baskets more than read books. Chris worries if someone he cares about is struggling and will stand up for anyone he considers a friend. He can be quiet at times but will bust out a hilarious one-liner when its least expected.
ColeCole has a big personality and likes to talk and ask questions about all sorts of things. Cole has a great sense of humor but also enjoys talking about serious topics. Cole absolutely loves cats and could talk about them all day long. Cole is a natural around animals and they are very therapeutic for him. Cole enjoys reading and can get lost in a good book for hours.
JahairiusJahairius (16), also known as, Jay, is a thoughtful, articulate young man who has a huge heart. Jay is very active and enjoys playing sports [football is his favorite], listening to music, and spending time with his peers. He has a ‘charming’ persona that people, young and old, tend to flock to. Jay has an interest in vintage cars. His favorite car of all times is the 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback.
JaydenTalkative, polite, quirky, and funny are all great ways to describe Jayden. Jayden is engaging and will share what’s on his mind. He has a big heart and is loyal to the people he is closest to. Jayden is a reader and can spend a day lost in the pages of sci-fi or Greek mythology book. In between trips to the library, Jayden likes to spend time on computers and playing video games
Jay and MariaMaria and Lemuel (Jay) are active, engaging, and curious kids. They are constantly on the go and will spend all day playing outside if you let them! They are sweet, kind, and both have incredibly unique personalities.
KaydenKayden is an outgoing child who has a great sense of humor and appreciates people who can joke around with him! He’s very talkative once you get to know him, but is cautious when he is just meeting a new person or a new place. Kayden is constantly working on his next K’NEX creation (usually roller coasters he has researched), loves playing with Legos and transformers, and has a great time climbing trees, bowling, sledding in the winter, watching baseball games and superhero movies, playing video games, and playing board games.
JenupJenup’s smile will light up a room! He’s a super athlete (he’s already completed over ten 5k’s and started on his school’s track team!) and a super student- he is so proud of himself for doing well in school and has big goals for his future.
GabeGabe is a competitive 14 year old who loves sports, especially basketball. He enjoys listening to music and will often rap to his favorite songs. He likes to make people smile and is always mindful of other’s needs. Gabe is into Fortnite and has been thinking about the possibility of being a YouTube guru.
JustinJustin is a considerate, caring, and charming 14 year old or as he says “14 and a half year old”. He takes pride in looking nice and cares about his appearance. He has a sense of humor that resonates with adults, he catches on to jokes that often goes over his peers’ heads. His favorite subjects in school are math and reading. In his free time he enjoys going to the library to checkout the books and videogames.
CrystalCrystal doesn’t have too many preferences when thinking about what she wants in a family, but she thinks she would do well in a single mom family or a mom and dad family. Crystal does have two younger brothers who she would like to remain in contact with. She is open to there being other children in an adoptive family, especially older siblings. Crystal is open to living in a variety of different communities. All in all, Crystal will do well with a family that can provide her with a lot of attention and affection, a family that likes talking and chatting, a family that can provide her with opportunities for personal empowerment, and a family that has or is open to having pets—preferably a cat.
JaxenJaxen is an outgoing and chatty 8-year-old with a smile that can light up a room. He is filled with curiosity and likes to explore anything that he can, and he loves showing off his costumes and “stuffies” (stuffed animals) to new people he meets. Jaxen thrives when engaged in hands-on activities, and he particularly enjoys origami, legos, coloring, riding his bike, and playing video, computer, and board games.
KaylynnKaylynn is an extremely social teen. She likes to be involved in all sorts of activities and enjoys making and hanging out with friends. Kaylynn does extremely well in school when she applies herself. Kaylynn is generous and kind and can be very intuitive and self-reflective if she wants to. She enjoys being part of teams and groups and is always eager to be in the midst of the action.
GabrielleGabrielle “Gabe” is an 8 year old boy who is full of energy and imagination. He’s been described as kind, helpful, and thoughtful. He loves to play with Legos and toys so that he can come up with superhero stories and eventually save the day! Gabe is active and likes being able to play outside to burn off his energy.
AlexaAlexa is talkative, outgoing, and enjoys the company of adults. Alexa can be very helpful with chores and delegated projects. Alexa is a fascinating young lady to be around. She enjoys listening to music [any genre besides Country], dancing to Hip Hop, reading and playing electronic games. Alexa is very athletic and likes to play all sports, especially full contact football.
LillianLilly says she is shy, but that’s hard to believe. It only takes about ten minutes for her to be awfully chatty, and this girl has A LOT of questions. Like, what’s your favorite spot in the house? What’s your favorite movie? What are your TOP TEN apples, okay, your TOP FIVE, wait, you don’t even have a TOP THREE??? She really likes apples, and wants someday to try a Pacific Rose. She’s learning to play the guitar, and has set aside 30 minutes a day where she makes herself practice, even though it’s “so boring.” Those who know her describe her as artistic and creative.
DerekDerek (15) is a very inquisitive, clever and creative young man who likes to share strange, but interesting facts. Derek is a fascinating person to be around. He is the coolest nerd. His interests are: Dungeons & Dragons, LARP’ing [Live Action Role Play], creating ‘art’ with Legos, ‘alien watching/hunting, space, and ‘adventuring’ outdoors.
JaydenJayden is a playful 11 year old who is energetic and likes connections. He is non-verbal but is agile in teaching you to communicate with him in other ways such as holding your hand to let you know when he appreciates you or gestures with his hands to indicate that he would like something within your reach. He is a good eater and enjoys food of all sorts.
SamanthaSammy likes Shakira. A LOT. THE MOST. Unless she ever hears Shakira has done drugs, because drugs are dumb and “you can’t be a role model if you do them.” She likes getting her hair done, or going to the Dollar Store. Sammy has trouble coming up with nice words to describe herself, but the adults who know her helped. She can be brave, and sticks up for other kids. She can be kind, like when she made a handmade card for a church friend who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. She can definitely be funny.
SelenaSelena is a bubbly, talkative, outgoing young lady who’s smile is contagious. Selena is a fascinating young lady to be around. She enjoys listening to music, writing music, in addition to, being hip to the latest dance moves. Selena is very active and likes to play sports, especially basketball.
EdwardWhen asked how he would describe his personality, Edward stated, “I’m perky, but sometimes grumpy.” Others in his life note that he is a very talkative, outgoing, funny, intelligent, and inquisitive young man. Edward has spent time on farms growing up and after a short time with him, you can tell he is very knowledgeable and interested in everything outdoors.
KatrinaKatrina or Kat (the nickname suits her well since she LOVES cats and has been known to wear cat ears, paw gloves and a tail, just for fun!) is fun-loving and sporty. The YMCA is one of her favorite places. In the summer, she can be found diving into the pool and in the winter she is on the basketball or racquetball court. She doesn’t necessarily know the rules to these games, but her enthusiasm and stamina more than make up for that!
ElijahElijah (14) describes himself as “fun to be around” He is described by others, as, “respectful, polite, and bright.” Elijah enjoys both indoor and outdoor activities like watching movies (especially comedies and action movies!), playing video games (shooting, basketball, and baseball) , and going to the cabin. Elijah recently learned how to swim and practices his skills both in the pool and in the river that runs by the cabin. His 1:1 instructor said, “He’s one of the best students I’ve ever had.”
