A Child is Waiting: Arreanna Busy with Sports, Guitar Lessons

By Honey Murray for Digital First Media

“Arreanna – nicknamed ‘Arre’ – has a personality that is very friendly, sweet, loving, affectionate, kind-hearted and sensitive,” says her case worker, “and…she never meets a stranger!”

“Arreana likes to greet people that she meets in stores and when she’s out, and she often compliments them,” her case worker explains. “She says, ‘They need to feel special.’ Arreanna talks to people and makes friends wherever she goes!”

Nine-year-old Arreanna also likes to help her third-grade classmates as well as younger students, especially those with special needs. At lunch time, she enjoys serving on the food line and reading with kindergartners.

“And,” says her worker, “she loves coming home from school and doing her homework right away. When neighbor children come to play, she tells them that she has to complete her homework first.”

“I’d like to be a teacher or pediatrician when I grow up,” Arreanna says. “I’d like people to know that I am friendly, kind and nice – and how great I am doing!”

“Arre has shown great improvements in school and behavior,” her worker agrees. “And she is also a child who is able to come up with creative ways to spend her time.”

After school, Arreanna and her friends can be found playing school, sledding, playing board games (Sorry! Is a favorite), or setting up a lemonade stand.

“And she will join every sports team she can,” says her case worker, playing basketball and soccer and, in the summer, going to camps.

One of Arre’s other favorite activities is her guitar lessons, which she has been taking for over a year. The teacher allows her to choose a guitar to use from the music store’s inventory.

“Patience; flexible expectations; a calm, affectionate, demeanor; involvement in Arreanna’s activities; being trauma-informed; being willing to work with multiple support service providers: these are some of the qualities needed from an adoptive family connection in this case for its success,” her worker says.

Arreanna hopes to be adopted by a “forever family” that will offer her a “safe place.”

“And we could do fun things together,” she adds, smiling, “God has a plan for me.”

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