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.

Introducing Xavier

Xavier (age 14) is a young teen that likes to stay active and enjoys sports, especially basketball. He likes to joke around with others and play video games. Xavier reports, “If I could visit anywhere in the world I would like to go to Hawaii!” He adds, “If I had three wishes I would wish for a mansion, a Lamborghini and $400,000!” Xavier’s favorite foods include macaroni & cheese, pizza, cheeseburgers and nachos. He reports, “When I grow up I would like to be a detective!”

A closer look…
Xavier responds best to consistent and proactive role models in his life. He is doing his best to learn how better manage his emotions. Recently, Xavier has shown great improvement maintaining his composure when experiencing daily stressors. At school, he benefits from structure and proactive staff members that will help him follow through with his goals.

How you can help…
Xavier is excited to see the world and is very open to being adopted not only from Michigan but from any other state by a loving family. Xavier needs an adoptive family that will be patient and have experience parenting teens with emotional needs. The family must show him that they care for him through feelings and actions as opposed to providing him with material things. Xavier would benefit from a family that can provide him with a home environment that is structured and consistent.

For more information, please contact his adoption worker, Tara Van Keulen at 616.774.0199 or to email her, click here.

Introducing Denise

Denise, (age 13) can be a very charming and engaging young lady. She is quiet at first but will warm up to new people when she gets to know them. Denise loves to talk about music, “especially Michael Jackson!” In addition to music, she enjoys dancing and shopping.

A closer look…
At this time, Denise is hesitant towards her adoption plan. She is working on developing a consistent daily routine. Denise is developing appropriate coping skills and continues to work on controlling her emotions. She is learning to establish a positive self-image of herself and would benefit from encouragement in developing stronger self esteem. Denise is hesitant to open herself up to others and needs a strong support system to illuminate her positive qualities. As she moves into adulthood she may need assistance from an adoptive family. Denise will also need assistance in establishing and maintaining positive peer relationships.

How you can help…
Denise is in need of an adoptive family who will understand the responsibilities of parenting a child who has overcome a turbulent past. The family must provide Denise with a loving, encouraging and understanding home where she can feel safe and accepted. The adoptive family must also be very patient and understand that Denise may have difficulty establishing a trusting bond with the family at first. The family must be willing to advocate for any support services that will be beneficial to Denise’s emotional, developmental and educational needs now and in the future. Denise is hesitant towards her adoption plan and any potential family must be extremely patient and be willing to engage at Denise’s pace.

For more information please contact her adoption worker, Ellen Morrison at 616.774.0598 or to email her,click here.

Introducing Aaleah & Desiree

Desiree, on the right, would like others to know, “I am very funny and friendly and it is very important to me that I live with my sister Aaleah!” Desiree is a friendly and engaging teen most of the time. She enjoys music and being on facebook. Desiree has a great sense of humor and is very quick witted. She is intelligent and can do well in school, when she chooses to. Her foster parent reports that Desiree is helpful around the house and is also polite. Aaleah, on the left, is a reserved young teen. Aaleah also has a good sense of humor and is very intelligent. Aaleah also enjoys listening to music and being on facebook. Aaleah can also do well in school, when she chooses to, and just started high school, which has been exciting and challenging for her. Her foster parent reports that Aaleah is opening up to her and is very sweet and helpful.

A closer look…
Desiree responds best to others when they treat her like the intelligent person she is. She needs support and encouragement in the home with her school work and responds well to clearly articulated rules. Aaleah can be very quiet around others and is working on opening herself up. Aaleah also needs encouragement in regard to her school work, but responds very well to clear rules. Both Desiree and Aaleah need support and guidance to address feelings about their past and to find productive methods to express their emotions. Aaleah and Desiree would both benefit from continuing therapeutic services to alleviate stress and address their feelings regarding their past.

How you can help…
Desiree and Aaleah are in need of a family who will adopt the two of them together. The adoptive family must be very patient and have very clear limits and structure for both girls. The family will need to be active participants in all therapeutic services to help the girls open up and cope with their feelings. The family will need to advocate for Desiree and Aaleah at school and offer them support in their school work. They will also need to set clear guidelines in regard to completing homework and handing it in. The adoptive family must also be willing to seek out any support services that would be beneficial for the girls and their needs now and in the future. It would be beneficial to Desiree and Aaleah if they are able to maintain contact with their three older siblings and with their aunt as they have an important relationship with them.

For more information, please contact her adoption worker, Tanya Vanderveen at 616.774.4304 or to email her, click here.

Introducing Alexus

Alexus is a 15 year old girl who likes looking her best; she loves to shop and get her hair done. She enjoys listening to music, singing and especially loves to read. Alexus describes herself as "quiet" and often expresses herself through writing and creating poems

A closer look...
Alexus can be challenging toward adult authority and is working on learning to take responsibility for her choices. She is capable of doing well in school when she applies herself, and sometimes needs supervision and direction to help her enjoy successful relationships with peers.

How you can help...
Alexus needs a patient and loving family who can make a firm commitment. A structured environment where she can receive plenty of attention and supervision would be best. Alexus also needs to maintain contact with several other siblings.

For more information please call Ellen Morrison at 616.774.0598 or to email her, click here.

Introducing Wilson

Wilson is a 14 year old teenager who loves to play video games, chess, putting puzzles together, and playing board games. He loves pizza and watch movies. He also likes sports and wants to be a football player when he grows up. Wilson is a very talkative, engaging, and an animated young man.

A Closer Look…
Wilson came from an extremely neglectful and abusive background. Due to his abusive history, Wilson has a difficult time listening to adults and can be oppositional; however, the treatment team effectively addresses his defiant nature. Wilson also struggles with his interpersonal and social skills and often acts immature. He often tattles on his peers and does not mind his own business. Even though Wilson still displays some struggling behaviors, he continues to work on his goals.

How Can You Help…
Wilson is in need of a two or one parent home. He does well with one on one attention. This family must be able to accept Wilson for who he is as well as demonstrate patience and understanding of his behaviors. It would be best if Wilson was the only child or the youngest in a home with other children as he requires supervision in the home.

For more information...
Please contact Wilson’s therapist, Marcia Bergakker at 616.361.4148 or to email her, click here.

Introducing George

George would like to let families know that he can draw. He is a private, quiet and contemplative young man who studies things before he acts. George’s current foster parent notes, “George is very artistic and he has very, very good artistic abilities.” He likes to draw, read, play video games and watch wrestling. George is very talented with computers and enjoys playing sports and role playing games. When he grows up he would like to be a tattoo artist or design video games. Currently, George is looking to obtain employment so he can purchase a vehicle and get his drivers license.

A closer look…
George responds well to simple directions and does well with tasks that he has an interest in. He has overcome a difficult past and is learning how to open himself up to others and develop trusting relationships. George can appear to be guarded and defensive and would benefit from patience as he forms new bonds. He is a bright young man who shows up for school ready to work.

How you can help…
George notes, “I would like to have a forever family that will go swimming, have family activities and go to games.” The ideal home for George would take an active interest in his activities, drawing & video games, and provide him with love and attention. The family must exhibit a great deal of patience as it will take George an extended period of time to be able to develop trust and seek out a closer relationship with a family. The adoptive family must be willing to support, encourage and challenge him to excel and reach his fullest potential. George has noted that he would like to reside in a rural setting and would like to be able to reestablish a relationship with his siblings. George should be the only child or the youngest child in an adoptive home if possible.

For more information, please contact his adoption worker, Katie DeJong at 616.451.2021 or to email her, click here.

Introducing Adrian

Adrian is a bright, inquisitive and adventurous child. He is strong willed and self assured. Adrian enjoys being outdoors, especially when he is able to go skateboarding. He is very creative, humorous, and artistic. Adrian likes playing and helping to take care of the dog in his current home. He enjoys playing with Legos and tries very hard to please others.

A closer look….
Adrian has overcome a difficult past and is wary of openly discussing his adoption plan at this time. He has been making great strides in learning how to effectively and appropriately manage his emotions. Adrian is taking this time to remember he is just a kid and not worrying about things that he cannot control. He has done very well when provided a structured environment and advance notice and preparation for when his routine is being altered. At school, Adrian does best when provided encouragement and support with his studies.

How you can help…
Adrian is in need of an adoptive family that can provide him with a loving home with a consistent and predictable routine. He would do well with a strong one or two-parent family who are on the same page in regards to discipline and rules in the home. Adrian would do best in a family with older children as he would benefit from positive role models in the home. If there are children near his age in the home, Adrian would benefit from sisters, as he can be competitive with brothers his age. The family must be willing to seek out any support services that would be helpful towards his well being. In addition, the family must be active advocates for Adrian in school to ensure he receives all the necessary assistance to help him reach his fullest potential.

For more information, contact his adoption worker Ellen Morrison at 616.774.0598 or to email her, click here.