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Children Waiting for Adoption
The following children are waiting to be adopted by loving families. We encourage you to take a moment and learn more about our featured waiting children. For inquiries, please contact the adoption social worker at the bottom of each listing or call our offices at (616)451-2021
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Introducing Naquandra |
 Naquandra is a 16 year old female with a big heart and a desire to have a forever family. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and is described as having a great sense of humor. Naquandra enjoys dance, photography and art.
A closer look...
Naquandra is very bright, opinionated and passionate. She likes to argue, and can be at times mature enough to consider someone else’s opinion if it is presented to her with a conscious effort. Naquandra is an insightful teenager who understands what is “right and wrong,” though does mess up at times.
How you can help...
Naquandra thrives on positive attention and would do best in a two or single parent home. A family who can demonstrate sensitivity to Naquandra’s cultural background would be ideal. Naquandra wants to be adopted and needs a patient and loving family who can make a firm commitment and who will stand by her, even when she tests their resolve. She may do best as the oldest or only child in the home.
For more information...
Please contact Naquandra’s worker Megghan Smith at (616) 774-4634. |
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Introducing Abigail |
 Abigail is a 14 year old girl who is currently in a residential placement and has a history of struggling with aggressive behaviors and destruction of property. Previously, a behavior plan was put in place for her that she could earn one-on-one time with a staff if she had appropriate behaviors. She was able to earn this privilege a couple of times and did extremely well on her outings. This seemed to motivate her and her behaviors at placement then improved for a while. Unfortunately, Abigail is easily drawn in by her peers' negative behaviors and she has displayed some more recent negative behaviors. Abigail is working on accepting responsibility for her behaviors and is making progress.
She was very recently moved to a new residential program and she is determined to complete it successfully. One of the aspects of this new program is Christian faith and Abigail is enjoying that aspect. She is also attending off-grounds school for the first time in a while. She is nervous about it but is doing fine so far. Her favorite subject is math. She is in special education classes.
Abigail likes to talk to friends and play with Bratz dolls. She likes animals and would like to be a vet someday. She would like a family that has other kids and would "just love me." Abigail has a great sense of humor and is always smiling. She likes putting on make-up and nail polish and doing "girly things.”
For more information about adopting Abigail, please call her social worker, Amy Hill – Kent County DHS, at 247-6388. |
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Introducing Ellis |
 Ellis is a healthy 15 year old male. He is a hard worker and loves to be outdoors. He has taken an interest in working as a helper on his foster dad’s tow truck. Ellis has dreams and goals of getting his drivers license and perhaps becoming an auto mechanic someday.
A Closer Look…
Ellis has come a long way within the last year. He has improved his grades and behaviors at school and is learning to better control his anger and anxiety. Ellis has come from a very abusive and neglectful past so sometimes his reality testing needs some redirecting. Ellis struggles with peer relationships but is gaining some skills to help him develop peer friendships.
How You Can Help…
Ellis has come from a disrupted adoption and he will need a committed family that is going to stick with him through the difficult and challenging behaviors. Ellis will do best in a two parent family that can establish concrete and consistent expectations in their home. An adoptive family will need to be patient and understanding of Ellis’s past. He should be the youngest or only child in the home.
For more information...
Please contact Ellis’ worker Megghan Smith at (616) 774-4634.
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Introducing Donovan |
 Donovan is a 12 year old boy who loves to play his game boy, eat pizza with pineapple and watch movies.
Donovan is a talkative child who
loves to tell stories and crack jokes. Donovan enjoys playing and
watching baseball and soccer. His favorite subject in School is math. Donovan loves to be the center of
attention and tends to exaggerate at times.
A Closer Look…
Donovan came from an extremely neglectful and abusive past. Due to a lack of
parenting Donovan has a hard time listening to authority and can be very
dishonest at times. Donovan was first removed from his home in 2005 and placed in the juvenile delinquent system. Since that time Donovan has had extensive
therapy and lots of one on one supervision. Donovan is doing much better but at times can express some very dishonest tendencies and inappropriate
behavior.
How You Can Help…
Donovan is in need of a two or one parent home. He does well with one on one attention. This family also needs to be patient and understand that Donovan is not going to attach quickly. It would be best if Donovan was the only child or the youngest in a home with other children. Donovan will
require some extra help and encouragement with school.
For more information...
Please contact Donovan’s worker Megghan Smith (616) 774-4634.
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Introducing Mitchell |
 Mitchell, age 12, enjoys music, toys and playing in the water. Mitchell does well around others, particularly adults or playing on his own. He can travel well and enjoys going shopping or other public places.
A Closer Look…
Mitchell was born with a congential syndrome called Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) Common challenges associated with this syndrome include developmental delays, behavioral issues and the delay or absence of speech. Mitchell is prescribed medication. He is ambulatory and eats independently.
How You Can Help…
This worker is searching for experienced parents who have a strong commitment of caring for children with developmental disabilities. For more information, please contact Nicole Nesbitt at 616-774-2056.
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Introducing Nikki |
 “The type of family I want is one that likes to go places and do things!” Nikki explained to her adoption worker when discussing the kind of “forever family” she wants. Nikki loves being active and staying busy. She enjoys playing volleyball and going swimming. She states, “I like singing, dancing, playing video games and jumping on the trampoline.” Like most 14 year old girls she loves hanging out with her friends and going clothes shopping at the mall. Nikki is in the 8th grade and is in regular education.
A Closer Look…
Nikki is the oldest of four girls. She and her sisters came from a physically abusive and neglectful home. Nikki being the oldest received most of the physical abuse and she missed a lot of school due to her birth parents’ not taking her there. Nikki is not being adopted with her younger sisters, but she visits them regularly. It is important Nikki keeps contact with her younger sisters once she is adopted.
Due to the abuse and neglect Nikki received, she sometimes will act younger than her age. She is often impulsive and has trouble controlling her emotions at times. Nikki is receiving weekly therapy to help cope with the separation from her family and her emotional control issues.
How Can You Help…
Nikki is excited about being adopted. She looks forward to being matched to a “forever family.” Nikki needs a one or two parent home, with older children or no children at all. She likes pets, especially cats. Nikki’s adoptive family needs to be committed and patient. They need to understand that since she is an older child it will take time to build attachment and that she will still need contact with her biological sisters. |
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Introducing Kadijah
Adoption In Progress
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 Kadijah is a 12 year old girl who loves to dance and listen to music. She is very shy when first meeting new people, but once she becomes comfortable with a specific person she will open up. She is an active pre-teen; when the weather is nice she enjoys riding her bike around the neighborhood. Kadijah has a care taker personality who loves caring for younger children. In the past Kadijah had to care for her younger brothers and now has to be reminded she does not need to play the parent role anymore.
A Closer Look…
Kadijah came from an extremely neglectful past. Due to the lack of parenting she received when she was young, she at times will act younger than her chronicle age. She also has a hard time expressing herself verbally and instead will bottle her emotions up without letting anyone know what she is feeling.
Kadijah needs a forever family, but is uncertain if she wants to be adopted. Kadijah has stated she would like her forever family to allow her to have contact with her younger brothers who are placed separately from her. Her forever family would also have to be a loving committed family that understands it is going to take time for Kadijah to attach to them. The family will have to have consistent rules and a structured environment. Kadijah will also need a parent who will help with her school work, so she continues to reach her highest potential.
How Can You Help…
Kadijah is in need of a two parent or one parent home. She does well with other children and pets. If she is placed with younger children she needs to be reminded she is not the parent, but the big sister. The family also needs to be patient and understanding that Kadijah needs time to open up to her new family.
For More Information please contact Kadijah’s worker, Jessica Ritter at (616) 774-1007. |
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Introducing Aimee
Adoption In Progress
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 Aimee is 8 years old and enjoys a variety of physical activities such as dance, gymnastics, soccer, cooking and art work. She also enjoys reading and writing. Aimee currently desires a forever family, but is uncertain if she is ready to be adopted. Aimee is patiently waiting for a forever family who is willing to adopt her.
 Aimee was previously adopted and was removed from the adoptive home through no fault of her own. Aimee has suffered a tremendous loss due to this removal. Aimee has a twin sister and is also a part of a larger sibling group. Aimee desires to keep in contact with her siblings in the future.
How you can help… Aimee needs a family who can provide structure and redirection. The family must be patient, understanding, and willing to deal with mild to moderate behavioral problems. Aimee needs a family who will be dedicated to her for the rest of her life and be willing to allow Aimee to have contact with her siblings. For more information regarding Aimee please contact Letisha Allen at D.A. Blodgett for Children at (616) 774-3841.
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Introducing Michael |
 Michael is thirteen years old. He is small for his age, but he is in good physical health. Michael makes friends easily and he likes to eat tacos and pizza. He also likes school and does fairly well. Michael has done well in his foster home and he appears as though he can make good attachments to caregivers.
A Closer Look... Michael came from an abusive and neglectful past. He was very traumatized in his birth home and, even now, will flinch if he hears a loud or sudden noise, thinking that something is going to happen to him. Michael functions much lower than his chronological age. He has a hard time expressing himself verbally because of limited language skills. Michael also has some issues surrounding using the bathroom appropriately.
How You Can Help... Michael is in need of a loving and structured family. He would probably do best if he was the youngest or only child in the home. However, if the situation was right, other children might be acceptable. Michael needs to have a steady routine and needs to know that his new parents are not ever going to hurt him or give up on him.
For More Information... Contact Michael’s worker, Tanya van der Veen, at (616) 774-4304.
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Introducing Tyvon
 Watch My Video at www.mare.org
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 Tyvon is a 14 year old boy who recently completed St. John's Academy and is in a foster home. He struggled at St. John's, much of it due to his high energy and anxiety levels. He did have several incidents of temper tantrums as he gets easily frustrated and defensive. Although he's easily frustrated, Tyvon doesn't hold grudges and is able to quickly be on friendly terms with someone again.
Tyvon continues to entertain people endlessly. He loves to dance and sing, listen to music, play ball (basketball and football) and video games. He describes himself as "talkative and funny, a good dancer." He is a happy, bubbly young man. He is affectionate and wants to give hugs. He likes to try new activities. He likes to go shopping, spend money, listen to music, and eat ice cream. He enjoys church, and one of his wishes is to meet God.
He would like an adoptive family with other kids and a dog. Tyvon is a "people person" and although he argues a lot, he prefers to have a lot of people around him, or else he complains he's bored. He wants a family to have fun together and to be happy. Tyvon believes that he'll know if a family really loves him if he tests them to see if they will stick with him through his negative behaviors. He's in the 8th grade (regular ed). His favorite classes are math and science. He would like to be a judge someday. For more information about adopting Tyvon, please call his social worker, Amy Hill – Kent County DHS, at (616) 247-6388. |
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Introducing Gerisha |
 Gerisha is a ten year old girl with a great personality who is looking for a forever family. She and her brother entered the foster care system two years ago. Gerisha’s brother was recently placed in an adoptive home separately from Gerisha. Gerisha has lived in her current foster home for almost two years and she is very bonded to her foster mother. Gerisha has mixed feelings about being adopted. She would like to be placed with an African American family. It will be important for Gerisha to maintain contact with her brother.
Gerisha is in the 4th grade and receives some special education services. She is a very intelligent child and earns above average grades. Gerisha loves to receive attention and affection from others. She is an entertainer and loves to sing and dance. She is very fond of music and enjoys any type, ranging from gospel to country. Gerisha also likes to draw and color. When the weather is nice, she enjoys playing outside and riding her bike. Gerisha does act much older than her chronological age and wants to be grown up. She can be a strong willed child and this is both a strength and a weakness for Gerisha. In addition, she has some difficulty with paying attention and staying on task.
Gerisha looks forward to movie nights at her foster home. Watching Disney films and any type of cartoon are her movie choices. Gerisha has chores that she is responsible for and she does her chores well. Gerisha enjoys helping her foster mother cook and clean.
Gerisha is ready for adoptive placement. An ideal family for her would be a two parent, African American family where there are no younger children in the home. Gerisha would benefit from very strong mother. Gerisha’s prospective adoptive family must be willing to maintain and participate in therapeutic services for Gerisha. If your family is interested in making a commitment to this child, please contact their adoption social worker, Deb Disler, at D.A. Blodgett for Children, (616) 774-3845, for more information. |
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