Meet the kids

Bryan [b. April 2010] is quiet and respectful but able to engage in conversation and communicate his needs effectively. Bryan is a little more outgoing and talkative when he is with his friends whom he likes to hang out with on weekends. When it comes to food, Bryan loves Mexican food and KFC is his go-to for fast food.  Bryan likes going to school and has set his goals on doing his best in order to get into college and currently holds a 4.29 GPA. In addition to excelling academically, Bryan also likes playing basketball and excels in golf. Bryan is a recipient of a prominent high school scholarship which pays for the base tuition of his enrollment through high school. Bryan is very involved in his school as he volunteers for youth ministry nights, is part of the Associated Student Body, and is in the Golf Club. Bryan would like to attend college and is interested in going to UCLA after high school, but he is a little ambivalent about what he would choose as a major, although he has thought about pursuing a degree in Architecture.

Bryan has an adult half-sister with whom he maintains an on-going connection. Bryan is interested in being adopted and having a forever family, and has expressed a desire for a traditional, two-parent family. If you think your family has the follow-through to provide the right guidance, love and support to assist Bryan through life’s sand traps, let us know. Bryan has what it takes to do well on the fairways of life!  Photo Credit: Children’s Action Network

Blake [b. April 2014] enjoys playing a good game of basketball or going for a swim.  In his down time, he also likes listening to music or playing video games. At school, Blake is keen on art class and likes doing arts and crafts projects. Blake is still trying to see what types of occupations might interest him for when he grows up, but for now the dream would be to play a professional sport.

Jordan [b. October 2015] loves riding scooter and playing the Spiderman video game on Xbox, along with his other favorite video game, Minecraft. In addition to pizza or food from McDonalds, Jordan is also happy with Cup Noodles. While Jordan doesn’t have a problem sharing his emotions, he is working on keeping his hands to himself and following the rules in placement. He is doing fine in school, but it takes some effort to get him there at times.

If you can picture these two joining your family squad, let us know.  Blake and Jordan long to belong to a family they can call their own. Photo Credit: David Tsay

Meet Andre (b. August 2012), an enthusiastic youth with a golden smile! Andre enjoys social settings and people interacting with him.  He is a true warrior and has been able to deal with multiple medical procedures like a true champion.  Andre responds positively to his caregivers and shows his interest in things by smiling and giggling.  He can also mumble the word “hello”. Andre enjoys music and really likes having someone sing to him or read to him.   He is limited in his mobility and requires a wheelchair.  He has received successful surgery and is now able to utilize his upper body more effectively.  Andre receives his nutrition via a G-tube.

Andre was born at only 27 weeks gestation, which contributed to a group of conditions that affect his movement, posture and development.  Andre’s medical needs require that he attend multiple medical appointments a few times a month. Andre is benefitting from occupational and physical therapies and despite all his challenges, he is always ready to offer the world a smile.

Karina (b. October 2011) is a sweet, talkative and engaging teen.  Karina enjoys going to the park and going to the mall. She loves “movie nights” whether they be at her placement or involve going to the theatre.  Karina likes playing board games and card games, especially Uno.  She also likes playing soccer but has not yet been able to join a team.  Karina has expressed wanting to be part of an active family.  She also shared that she would like to travel and someday go to Korea to see BTS. Karina describes herself as funny and helpful, and someone who enjoys scary things like scary rides and haunted houses.

Jordan (b. February 2016) is a cheerful and playful youngster who gets along well with others.  Jordan enjoys outdoor activities, especially basketball.  Jordan also likes playing video games such as Roblox on X-box or PS5.  Like his sister, Jordan also enjoys playing cards and board games, especially Uno.  Jordan is described to have a silly and fun personality. Jordan does sometimes need assistance/guidance with self-regulation and how he reacts to sudden stress.

If you can see these two siblings as part of your family, please let us know.  We are eager for Karina and Jordan to have the sense of security that comes with feeling at home with a caring forever family.  Photo Credit: Children’s Action Network

Kendrick (b. June 2010) is a curious boy with a huge, infectious smile!  Kendrick loves to play video games and watch YouTube videos, and he is fairly tech-savvy.  He is also fascinated by cars and is knowledgeable about various makes and models — from their worth to their speed.  And while Kendrick benefits from reminders about personal hygiene, he does like picking out his own clothes and shoes in order to dress stylishly!

And while Kendrick can keep himself busy indoors, he also enjoys being active and playing outside. You can often find him riding his bicycle and running around. Kendrick has a great imagination and would do well in a family that is active and yet provides structure to daily routine. Kendrick does have an IEP to help him stay focused on schoolwork and to help with his mild speech delays. Kendrick can be easily influenced by others so conversations about safety are also important.

Kendrick loves animals and would love to have a family pet as part of his adoptive family.  Kendrick looks forward to being part of an adoptive family, sharing that he wants “to go to fun places and to be able to play and laugh with (them)”.  If you can picture Kendrick as part of your family, let us know.  We want to see Kendrick linked with the right adoptive family!

Photo Credit: Will Wong

Ottavio (October 2012) is a polite kid with an amiable personality!  Although he is initially shy, Ottavio becomes talkative and engages well with others, particularly when he receives some encouragement.  Ottavio enjoys all kinds of sports and plays both baseball and football on community teams.  Though generally quiet, Ottavio opens up with encouragement from teammates, responding to the social energy of others to come out of his shell.  Ottavio hasn’t decided yet what he wants to be when he grows up and would thrive in a family with adoptive siblings around his age or older.  Despite some mixed feelings about adoption, he is open to all family constellations.  Ottavio loves playing with the pet dogs in his foster home and is excited about the possibility of having pets as a part of his future forever family.  Photo Credit: Will Wong

Victoria (b. April 2011) is an exceptionally creative young girl in foster care with a genuine passion for arts and crafts. She delights in making things and is deeply drawn to beauty and fashion – always eager to discover evolving aspects of her own unique style. With a flair for makeup, hair, and accessorizing, Victoria is fine with dressing up for any given occasion.

Victoria likes school, enjoying cycling class as well as leadership courses. Her enthusiasm for art classes comes as no surprise and one of her recent projects that excited her was crafting ribbon flowers, turning out some beautiful roses.

Though she may be a bit shy at first, Victoria’s charming personality quickly shines through and enables her to connect with others. Victoria has a heartfelt desire for a loving family, complete with pets! While she adores cats, her allergy makes having one a challenge; however, she dreams of having a pet dog. Victoria also envisions having adoptive siblings, perhaps a sister with whom she could share a bond as well as having fun times. Most importantly, Victoria is eager to find a welcoming family that is enthusiastic and ready to support her during her high school years and beyond!  Photo Credit:  Peter Valli

Meet Jonathan, a dynamo of a kid who enjoys expending energy – whether it’s jumping around on a trampoline, dribbling a basketball, or splashing around in the pool! Jonathan was born in December of 2012 and is a self-described “happy kid” who likes to make friends and spend time engaging with people. Jonathan wants to be a police officer when he grows up to help ensure that “no one gets hurt or has to go to jail.”

Jonathan has been able to tolerate virtual school and is receiving services to assist him in dealing with frustrations and to communicate when he is angry or upset.
Jonathan is very aware that he has many food allergies, including being allergic to eggs, milk, and fish. He does, however, enjoy foods such as apples, bananas, carrots, and apple sauce. Jonathan has Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism Disorder which entails the use of a G-tube to meet some of his dietary needs. Jonathan is diagnosed with ADHD and PTSD for which he is on a medication regimen and receiving Wraparound services. He is also benefitting from Regional Center services such as speech and language therapy with specialized academic instruction to help with a Mild Intellectual Disability.

Jonathan is hoping to join a forever family that will help him reach his full potential and will also enjoy playing and finding joy in the here and now. If you can picture Jonathan as part of your family’s portrait, let us know. We’re ready to help you bring Jonathan’s future into focus! Photo Credit: Aura Aguirre

Eric (born in August 2010) is a charming and engaging boy, full of curiosity! Eric is genuinely interested in learning about people, circumstances and the world around him. As you can imagine, he’s also talkative and asks a lot of questions. Unusual for someone his age, video games and television do not rule Eric’s attention as he prefers to do hands-on activities. Eric has a mechanical aptitude in that he loves to take things apart and put them back together and he wants to know how things work. Eric is also athletic and loves to engage in physical and sporting activities that require running and physical exertion.

Eric’s physical coordination shines through when engaged in some of his favorites such as basketball, baseball, soccer and riding bike. Keeping active and engaged in activities is very therapeutic for Eric and helps him retain his focus. Eric hasn’t expressed particular career interests for when he grows up. For now, finding his way into a forever family will help nurture such future aspirations. Eric is loyal to those he cares about and he has some biological family connections he would like to keep.

The adoptive family Eric would like to be part of would be sensitive to and supportive of such connections. Eric envisions having parents who would allow him to (help) cook meals and build things. Eric also likes the idea of having a pet, a cat in particular. If you can envision Eric as a permanent part of your enclave, please reach out to us. We want to help to help Eric find the family he fits into and in which he can become all that he is meant to be! Photo Credit: America’s Kids Belong