A Child is Waiting: Josh is at Home in Woods -- or on Computer

By Honey Murray for MediaNews Group

With a quiet smile, Josh looks into the camera filming his video on the M.A.R.E. (mare.org) website and thoughtfully describes himself.

“I can be funny,” he shares. “I can be adventurous; I like to explore the woods….”

Josh also describes a favorite shop he visits called “Blue.”

“It’s really cool,” he says. “They have a lot of Native American stuff. I bought this sweatshirt (a wolf print) there, and a bead necklace. I like them a lot!”

Josh also likes a lot of other things that many fifteen-year-olds enjoy – like video games and hanging out with friends at a park.

“My favorite video game is Minecraft,” Josh says.

A tenth-grader, Josh’s favorite subject is computers.

“We animate things on computers,” he says, “and learn how to type faster.”

Josh is very serious and centered about his goals and philosophy.

“I want to be a caseworker, because I feel I’d be very helpful because of my situation.”

“Some people think a caseworker doesn’t understand what’s happening to them, how they feel,” he explains. “I’d tell them my story, so they’d know that I’m here with them, not against them, and help them through that part of their life.”

“Joshua is a very smart, caring guy who enjoys reading, playing video games, fishing, and exploring in the woods,” his worker says. “He’s adventurous and very active.”

“He loves all animals, especially wolves – but not snakes,” his worker smiles. “He likes sleeping in, telling jokes, riding bikes and roller coasters, and going to movies and waterparks.”

“The best thing about Josh,” his worker continues, “is that he’s very understanding, compassionate and non-judgmental.”

Josh’s workers believe Josh would do best with a single- or two-parent family that is informed about the impact of trauma and who would be strong advocates for the services that help him excel.

“If there are other children,” his worker adds, “it would be best for Josh to be the youngest. And Josh would love to be in a home with animals.”

Josh, who wants to live in northern Michigan (preferring the Upper Peninsula) and says he actually enjoys rainy days, has ideas about the kind of family he’d like.

“I’d like a mom and a dad,” he says, “a brother, and a dog.”

“I’d like it if we go out, do stuff, like go to the movies, go fishing, go in the woods – just not a lot,” he chuckles.

“They’d be people who trust me and who love me. And I could stay in one place forever.”

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