A Child is Waiting: James Has a Thirst for Knowledge - and Family

A child is waiting: James has a thirst for knowledge -- and for a Forever Family

By Honey Murray for MediaNews Group

“I’m kind, funny…I guess you could say that I’m a really good friend to people,” James thoughtfully states. “Whatever I can do for fun, I’ll do: drawing; being outside; playing Magic Begatherings, which is a card game I happen to be carrying with me -- and I’m going to learn whittling.

“I’m sort of an outdoorsy person! I’m really good at reading and comprehension. I’d like to be some sort of a scientist. And I love animals and nature.”

“James really does love animals,” his worker says. “He has volunteered at an animal shelter and really enjoyed it, and he has a pet that he cares for. He is a very engaging and interesting seventeen-year-old guy.

“He’s very intelligent, like a little professor,” she chuckles. “But he’s not a walking computer or anything. He’s fun, too!”

“He loves information, and he knows how to ask questions that help him learn what he wants to know,” she says. “He’s a big thinker. He will pursue and follow up on his quests and learn everything he can about his tasks and opportunities. He’s not just intelligent, but inquisitive. And he likes to share with and help his peers.”

His worker describes a recent outing, a “meet-and-greet” event they attended.

“There was a booth where attendees could make wooden pens,” she said. “James made a pen, but then he didn’t want to leave because he wanted to help the other kids. He ended up making two more pens and gave them as gifts to two workers who happened to be there.”

“He has many skills,” says his worker. “He communicates effectively and needs a forever family that can understand him in the way he expresses himself as an adult -- who are loving and supportive, good listeners who will give him space to figure things out, but be there for him. He would also benefit greatly from a dedicated mentor.”

“Since he loves animals, the outdoors and creative activities, James needs a parent or parents who enjoy being active and providing opportunities for learning and growth activities.

“James would be best as an only child – or an oldest child, since he likes to teach and help.”

“What I’d like to do with a family,” James says, “is go outdoors, learn how to hunt. And they could teach me important life skills, like how to take care of myself when I’m older.”

“Any type of double parents word work,” he says. “It can be like a mom and a mom, a dad and a dad: anything.

“I hope that a good family will adopt me. I just have to say that ‘I’m a really nice kid’ one last time.”

For more information about adoption or mentoring, contact Orchards Children’s Services of Southfield at 855-694-7301 or visit www.orchards.org.