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Hoping for a home
Two traveling displays highlight some of the nearly 800 children in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties who are waiting to be adopted. Many won't escape the foster care system until they are adults.
By MIKE WILSON
Published May 15, 2006
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[Photo: Nelson Photographic Art]
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LISA Age: 15
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[Photo: Enchanted Forest Photography]
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ROSELIA Age: 2
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[Photo: Cindy Henning]
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TIMOTHY Age: 14 AND JENNIFER Age: 11
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[Photo: Enchanted Forest Photography]
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JACOB Age: 5
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[Photo: Cherie Diez]
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JONATHAN Age: 14
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[Photo: Jennifer Mills]
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KEENEN Age: 11 AND FREDDIE Age: 13
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[Photo: Nicole Abbett]
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LINDA Age: 12 AND CHRISTOPHER Age: 15
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[Photo: Alisha Skelton]
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PRECIOUS Age: 7
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Related story |
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Good intentions
Lillie, 14 and pregnant, needed a mom. Amy, 37 and already raising a big family, gave her a home. Neither was ready for what happened next.
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On Sunday in Floridian we told the story of Amy and Mike Chandler, who welcomed a 14-year-old foster child into their home in hopes of giving her and her baby a family. If you missed the story, you may read it at http://links.tampabay.com. The adoption did not work out, despite the family's best intentions. But many adoptions do. Last year, for example, 261 foster children in Hillsborough found permanent homes. Seventeen were 15 or over, the hardest to place because most parents are looking for younger kids. The need for loving, adoptive homes never goes away. In Hillsborough, about 500 foster children are available for adoption, and in Pinellas and Pasco the number is 300. Many will never be adopted and will stay in the foster care system until they're adults. The Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay and the Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco are traveling exhibits of photographs of children who need homes. Today we would like you to meet some of the kids featured in the galleries. You'll also find information about how to adopt a child or help in other ways. - MIKE WILSON, assistant managing editor/Newsfeatures LISA Age: 15 Grade: 9 Best subjects: English, American government Musical instruments: Drums, French horn Favorite sport: Softball Career goal: To be an attorney Call: Hillsborough Kids Inc., (813) 643-5437 ROSELIA Age: 2 Loves: Flowers, butterflies, getting dressed up Needs: Patient, compassionate parents able to tend to her medical needs Call: Hillsborough Kids Inc., (813) 643-5437 LINDA AND CHRISTOPHER
Linda Age: 12 Favorite sport: Football (she's one of two girls on her team) Musical instruments: Xylophone, drums, recorder Favorite movie: The Polar Express
Christopher Age: 15 Favorite sports: Track, football Personality: Determined, optimistic Both children want: To stay in touch with their older sister Call: Hillsborough Kids Inc., (813) 643-5437
KEENEN AND FREDDIE
Keenen Age: 11 Happiness is: Watching cartoons Favorite show: SpongeBob SquarePants Best subjects: Gym, art Favorite sport: Basketball
Freddie
Age: 13 Perfect day: Pizza, macaroni and cheese, a game of hoops Musical likes: Country, hip-hop Musical instrument: Recorder Call: Hillsborough Kids Inc., (813) 643-5437
JONATHAN
Age: 14 Best subjects: Science, gym Diversions: Movies, football, PlayStation Favorite foods: Mexican, Chinese, seafood Call: Safe Children Coalition of Pinellas and Pasco, (727) 456-0637.
TIMOTHY AND JENNIFER Timothy Age: 14 Career goal: To be a lawyer or an actor Favorite diversion: Movies
Jennifer
Age: 11 Career goal: To be a singer or dancer Personality: Bubbly Wish: To have parents "who will let me and my brother open at least one present on Christmas Eve." Call: Safe Children Coalition of Pinellas and Pasco, (727) 456-0637.
PRECIOUS
Age: 7 Favorite musicians: Raven and the Cheetah Girls, Destiny's Child Pastimes: GameBoy, dolls Wish: To have a sister Ideal family: One that "looks like her" Call: Safe Children Coalition of Pinellas and Pasco, (727) 456-0637.
JACOB
Age: 5 Perfect day: Busch Gardens Favorite animal: American bald eagle Would settle for: A dog Pastime: Scribbling Wish: Older brother or sister Call: Safe Children Coalition of Pinellas and Pasco, (727) 456-0637.
[Last modified May 15, 2006, 09:13:43]
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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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