Caleb
Caleb is bright and creative, with a gift for language and a huge vocabulary. Academically, he has lots of potential. He loves reading and history and can recall historical facts at the drop of a hat. He also has a beautiful singing voice. Caleb thrives on physical activities and is passionate about riding his bike and scooter, swimming, and camping. He also enjoys drawing, video games and playing with action figures. Caleb has a unique sense of humor and the capacity to be very engaging.
Caleb does best in highly structured settings, which help him feel safe. Caleb is a boy for whom organization and ritual are essential. He keeps his daily routine posted on a board in his room; he keeps his room just so, and prefers that meals and bedtimes occur at the same time of day. It is important for Caleb to have recognition, personal attention and frequent praise and encouragement, and for adults to interact with him in calm, patient ways, providing clear explanations to him. Caleb should be an only child or the youngest in a family with much older kids who are emotionally healthy and have good social skills.
To learn more about Caleb, watch his video clip.
Cody
Cody is an enthusiastic, lovable, outgoing boy who thrives on adult attention. He has many interests and is open to trying new things. He loves riding his bike and being outdoors as well as playing with cars and trucks, watching movies, doing art and playing board games. Cody needs a firm, patient family who enjoys and encourages his strengths. Parents who have experience working with children who have developmental delays would be ideal. Cody’s new family will need to advocate for his educational, developmental and counseling services now as well as being a resource for him throughout his life.
Destini
Destini is a cute, petite African-American girl with a great smile. She loves to have her hair done and wears bright colors. She is developmentally on track. She can communicate her feelings, process them, and solve problems. Destini loves to sing and dance. Over the summer she enjoyed participating in cheer camp and dance class. She loves to be outside, ride her bike, and play at the park. She is a social butterfly and enjoys playing with other children and conversing with adults.
Destini loves to read, and her favorite series is Junie B. Jones. She is resilient and has shown an ability to flourish in adversity. She does well academically and can get along with peers. She is very animated and expressive, with a flair for the dramatic.
Currently in fourth grade, Destini tries very hard in school and in therapy and wants to be successful. Her past schools have reported that she’s an outgoing and personable child who has made many improvements. She is academically on track and enjoys learning.
To learn more about Destini, watch her video clip.
Elana
Elana has a kind, sweet disposition and a social personality. She is interested in trying new things, and is currently excited to learn about electronics. Although now a young teen, Elana still likes playing with Barbie dolls, as well as reading, watching TV and playing her DS. She is one of Justin Bieber’s biggest fans.
Elana is in the eighth grade and is in the school choir. She has four birth siblings whom she still visits twice a month. She’ll be counting on her adoptive parent(s) to help her maintain contact with her siblings as she grows up. Elana will thrive in a family where she has lots of one-on-one parental time and attention. She would also like opportunities to feel pride in her heritage and to participate in the African-American community.
To learn more about Elana, watch her video clip.
Gabby
Gabby is a delightful child with an adventuresome spirit and a fun sense of humor. She’s in eighth grade, and has family roots in the Canadian First Nations, Coldwater Branch. She enjoys going on family outings to a local amusement park that has miniature golf, arcade games, and go-carts. She also enjoys spending time with her grandmother and has a relationship with her younger brother. Gabby's counselor describes her as a child who has grown tremendously since entering care, particularly in areas of self-awareness, accepting limits, and understanding cause and effect.
Gabby has a brother named Tony. Each child will be placed individually for adoption, but they will be counting on their adoptive families to help them maintain regular contact as they grow up. She really does well with caregivers who are not easily offended and understand that she doesn't always mean what she says “in the moment.” Gabby continues to work on increasing her skills in understanding cause and effect, attaching emotionally, and being accountable for parental expectations and guidance.
Her significant grief and loss experiences, which are being addressed in counseling, do continue to contribute to her feeling slighted or criticized, so lots of hugs and nurturing are required. Gabby needs a family "that will beam at her” because they truly enjoy being her parent. Single moms and couples are encouraged to consider Gabby!
To learn more about Gabby, watch her video clip.
Heather
Heather is a bright 12-year-old. A seventh grader, she is academically right on track and above average in reading. Due to her love of reading, one of her favorite activities is going to the library.
Heather enjoys playing on her computer, Wii and DS. She likes just about any fun activity that allows her to have time and attention from the adults in her life.
Heather is outgoing, friendly and cheerful. Over the past year she had made great strides academically, socially, emotionally and behaviorally. She has increased her coping skills and self-confidence. She has a desire to be encouraging and helpful to peers. Heather enjoys younger children and would like a family where she could have siblings.
To learn more about Heather, watch her video clip.
Isaiah
Isaiah is an endearing boy with a great sense of humor, creativity and imagination. He’s a delight to be with! Bicycling, basketball, soccer and camping are some of his favorite things to do, but Isaiah also loves to help around the house, especially building and repairing things. He loves music and plays both guitar and electric piano. Isaiah is making good progress in his special education classroom. He enjoys attending church school as well. Isaiah needs an affectionate family, proud to call him their son.
To learn more about Isaiah, watch his video clip.
Iyanla
IIyanla is a beautiful and tenacious 11-year-old African-American girl. She is healthy with no medical concerns. Iyanla is the second oldest of four children and visits her siblings monthly. Iyanla has strong family loyalty and a very large extended family in Western Washington. She will need an adoptive family who understands this.
Iyanla is an intelligent, creative and social preteen with a wonderful smile. She loves music and dancing, and is an avid reader. She longs to be involved in extracurricular activities such as dance, ice skating or cheerleading. Iyanla is in sixth grade and on track academically. She works hard in school. Last spring she won an award for outstanding achievement in reading.
Iyanla gets along with other children in her foster home, helping around the house. She is personable and can be very sweet. It’s essential that she remain in contact with her siblings for her emotional well-being.
Iyanla will do best in a home without younger children, where she can receive one-on-one attention, structure, consistency, nurturing and opportunity. She has expressed a desire to be an only child. Iyanla loves pets and does well with animals.
To learn more about Iyanla, watch her video clip.