Kids & Family
A Child is Waiting: Helpful Joslyn Enjoys Art, Running and Tacos!
Hundreds of Michigan teens are hoping to be adopted by willing forever families to call their own.
By Honey Murray for Digital First Media
“Pretty much,” chuckles Joslyn on her M.A.R.E. (mare.org) YouTube video, “I’m loud, happy, silly….I like to run, color, play hopscotch, do track – because I’m fast.”
“I like to dress up, a lot. I played in band in school: the flute, the trumpet, the piano, and the guitar, and I sang – and danced,” she says, smiling.
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And Joslyn loves to color. During her video, she displays several extremely detailed and beautifully executed coloring projects that she’s completed.
“I’d like to be a tattoo artist,” Joslyn says. She also would like to be on staff at a foster residence or hospital – or be a restaurant cook.
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Her worker describes Joslyn (M.A.R.E. case #CO9206) as “a lovely girl, almost fourteen, who is very ‘girly,’ but also a tomboy.”
Joslyn enjoys school, especially math, reading and writing, and she does well.
“Joslyn is a caring, loving and helpful girl,” her worker adds. “She loves giving affection and being with friends and family. She does have a child-like essence and tends to act younger than her age.”
“She is also a lot of fun,” says her worker. “”Once, at a meet-and-greet, she actually ate seven tacos! Now, we laugh about that all the time.”
Her worker describes the type of “forever family” that Joslyn needs.
“The family would have to be experienced with mental health trauma and foster care and be very, very supportive,” says Joslyn’s worker, adding, “Parenting and listening skills are key, along with the ability to advocate for her needs and the support she needs.”
Joslyn, who’d love to have siblings – and a pet – has her own vivid wishes and dreams of family life.
“We could do lots of activities together: shopping, going out to eat, making popcorn and watching movies, celebrating holidays together, pull each other on a sled in winter….We could go to the beach and waterpark; Mom, Dad and me and my sisters and brothers can ride our bikes down the sidewalk….”
“My family,” Joslyn concludes, “would be caring and loving and take care of me forever.”
For more information about adoption or mentoring, contact Orchards Children’s Services of Southfield at 855-694-7301 or visit www.orchards.org.