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
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.