Sunday’s Child is a weekly column featuring a child or children currently in foster care awaiting adoption.
Jaydon and Jaylize are loving siblings of Caucasian descent who are seeking a home together. Jaydon is a sweet eleven-year-old boy who enjoys being outside all year round. Jaydon likes to build things with his Legos and play with remote controlled trucks. He is also interested in quieter activities like watching TV and drawing. Jaydon is on the Autism spectrum and attends an elementary program that supports his needs through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Jaydon benefits from support in reading, math, life skills, and social communication support with a one-on-one aid. Jaydon follows a structured routine at school and in the home.
Jaylize is a friendly 8-year- old girl who is often described as being naturally kind. Jaylize likes to stay busy and enjoys participating in outdoor activities. She also likes to color and draw. Jaylize is on grade level in school and does well academically. Her favorite subjects in school are math and reading. She enjoys spending time with her peers and younger children. Jaylize also does well in a family setting and responds well to limits and expectations.
This sibling group would do well in a two-parent family of any constellation with or without other children in the home. Jaydon and Jaylize need a nurturing and loving family who can provide them with patience, structure, and consistency. The ideal family would have experience and knowledge of children with special needs or be willing to educate themselves on Autism in order to be a strong advocate for Jaydon’s needs.
Who are the children waiting for adoption?
There are over 2,800 children in Massachusetts foster care with the goal of adoption. Through no fault of their own, they cannot be raised by their birth parents. Many will be adopted by a relative or foster parent, but more than 800 have no one to adopt them yet. These waiting children are all ages including toddlers, school age, teens, sibling groups who belong together, children of color of all ages, and children with intellectual, physical, or emotional difficulties or disabilities.
These children have experienced many losses and changes in their lives, and need patient and dependable adoptive parents who can help them grow and thrive in their new family. Free post-adoption support services are available to help.
To learn more about Jaylize and Jaydon, and about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-54- ADOPT (617-542- 3678) or visit www.mareinc.org. The sooner you call, the sooner a waiting child will have “a permanent place to call home.’’
