MARN gratefully acknowledges the family of Carol Trout Raun for designating memorials be made to MARN. A tree will be planted on Arbor Day in a national forest to commemorate the life of Carol Raun.

Divonte, 15, plans future as video game designer

"I'm not completely high tech," says Divonte who realizes anyone with future plans to be a video game designer could be pegged as such. His spare time is filled with much more than computers as he writes poems, RAP songs, and has branched out to begin penning his autobiography.

Always on the move with a variety of sports, Divonte rates football as a fav. "I am best as a running back because of my running skills, moves and footwork," he says. When not playing sports, Divonte has his head in a book with his all time favorite novel being The Shawshank Redemption. He's currently reading the second book of the series, The Summer of Corruption.

Divonte would prefer to live in the Twin Cities area or another urban or suburban environment. He hopes to find an adoptive family who will support his relationship with his older sister because she is very important to him. Although Divonte has endured many losses and challenges in his life, he has made significant personal gains and says, "I still hold out hope that the right family will be found for me.”

To learn more about Divonte, please contact Betty Woodland, Child Specific Adoption Recruiter at Hennepin County. Betty.Woodland@co.hennepin.mn.us
612-348-0142


At 16, Marcus still believes

Despite waiting a long time for a family he can call his own, Marcus has hope for being adopted. He says, ““I don’t care where the family lives or how many kids they have as long as I have a family.”

Marcus enjoys many kinds of sports including meeting players. He says, “It was pretty cool when I got to meet Jamal from the Minnesota gophers. I’ve also met some of the Timberwolves and I attended a Minnesota Wild game last year.” His dream is to see the Twins play some day, saying, “I enjoy all kinds of sports. Baseball, hockey, basketball, football, I don’t really have a favorite.”

Besides loving sports, Marcus shows his compassionate side when it comes to animals. “I really love working with animals. I like it when I get to go to the humane society and walk the dogs or brush the cats. It’s nice and the animals really like it. I feel bad that they don’t have families and wish I could adopt a dog, but they won’t let me where I live.”

To learn more about Marcus, please contact Molly Cirillo, Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter at Hope Adoption/Ramsey County Adoption at 651-266-4085.


Joe seeks dad who “tinkers in the garage”

Seventeen-year-old Joe says, “I’m looking for a family that can give me the support and encouragement that my life is lacking right now. I can take care of myself, but I would rather have a future with loving parents who can give me their time and love and help me overcome all the difficulty of my early life.”

“One of my strengths is that I like to work and keep busy. My ideal adoptive dad would love to tinker in the garage. I also need a parent who can help me with my school work which can be a big struggle for me, particularly reading. I am also interested in earning spending money by doing chores at home until I am able to work at a job. I am very open to different kinds of families and I hope you would be open to older kids like me who need and want a family.”

For more information on Bryan or Joe, contact Azur Walters, Targeted Recruiter at Children’s Home Society and Family Services, 651-255-2249 or awalters @chsfs.org


Mike Prefers Town over City Life

Eighteen-year-old Mike likes to be involved in a lot of sports and physical activities, saying, "My favorite sports are basketball and football. I also enjoy reading and doing crosswords in the newspaper. I am very creative. I like to make necklaces and bracelets out of hemp and beads. I also like to fix stuff and build stuff. I also enjoy reading books and learning new things. I am interested in furthering my education at a college or technical school. I don't like to sit down for long periods of time, I enjoy working and I like to keep myself busy." Mike has a wide variety of skills and interests and, like all teens, needs help and encouragement to focus his efforts. "I am not quite sure what I want at this time in my life. I would like to have somebody who would be like family, support and assist me when I am in need. I would like someone who I could trust and be around for awhile. I do not want to live in a big city because I have grown up in small towns most of my life. I would like someone who is able to help me through my struggles and teach me the skills I need to succeed in life."

The parents who Mike is hoping to find will give him the time he needs to create a lasting, forever relationship that is built on trust. Clear consistent guidelines and rules work best along with direct honest communication. Mike is open to different family structures, but one that includes a positive male role model would be most helpful. Mike prefers to be the oldest child and wants to maintain contact with his birth dad.

For more information about Mike, please contact Joe Wild Crea at Ampersand Families at 612-670-6485 or joe@ampersandfamilies.org
To learn more about any of Minnesota’s other Waiting Children, contact the Minnesota Adoption Resource Network at 612-861-7115 or go online to www.mnadopt.org.

Trysten

Trysten has both a bold spirit and the ability to fill a room with her laughter and smile. Possessing a ton of energy and excitement for life, Trysten loves being with people, especially when they can join in the fun and be goofy with her. Her humor promises to keep parents on their toes. Her laughter is punctuated by a snort. Trysten loves to be active, whether it's swimming, playing soccer, or playing yard games. She likes school and is proud of all her hard work. Hip-hop music is really special to Trysten, and singing together in the car is one of her favorite things to do. Trysten has a huge heart for animals and wants to be a groomer one day to make dogs feel loved. She also is very thoughtful and caring towards other people. She always asks, 'How are you doing?' if she senses you are upset.

Trysten is eager to have a family who will care about her enough to stick around. However, she is somewhat apprehensive about adoption because she has been hurt so many times. She wants a mom and a dad but would be okay with just a mom too. If Trysten had siblings, she would like them to be older, but she would be alright if she was the only child. She expresses an interest in living in a bigger city but would also like to have horses. She wants an active family who likes to do things together. The most important thing that Trysten wants a family to know about her is that she cares about things.

For more information about Trysten, please contact Meghan Berg, Permanency Specialist for Ampersand Families, at 952-693-1764 or meghan@ampersandfamilies.


Daleah and Jadon

Coming from a Christian biological family, Daleah, 11, and Jadon, 10, would like to be adopted by a family that shares their faith.

Like all siblings, Daleah and Jadon have varying interests and personalities. While Daleah is very talkative, outgoing and funny, Jadon is often very shy and quiet. Still, Jadon has a great sense of humor. He enjoys joking around with and teasing his foster parents.

Daleah is a fan of reading, Hannah Montana, Bratz dolls, tacos, handwriting, wearing jeans, snow, riding bike, and earrings. Jadon, on the other hand, likes to play Nintendo DS and other video games. Daleah believes she has a good memory. Jadon likes all types of food and enjoys school and spending time with close friends.

Their individual uniqueness will be important for an adoptive family to honor. They respond best to structured, consistent routines and actions. Daleah values long term commitments to her, no matter what, and it takes Jadon awhile to adjust to change. Both would like to have pets. Daleah hopes she and her brother will join an African American family.

For more information about Daleah and Jadon, please contact Sarah Johnson, Blue Earth County Child Protection Specialist, at 507-304-4194 or sarah.johnson@co.blue-earth.mn.us


Dante, 14

Dante is looking for a permanent place to call home. Dante enjoys being active and playing sports, especially baseball, football and most of all basketball. Dante says Ohio is his favorite college basketball team and it is his dream to play for them someday. Dante is very social and likes interacting with others. “I love talking, even tough it gets me in trouble sometimes,” says Dante.

When he is not playing basketball, Dante enjoys hanging with friends, listening to music and playing video games. Dante also loves board games and lists mystery and suspense as his favorite books to read. Dante is looking for a family that is fun, active and spends lots of quality time together. He is open to a two parent or single parent household, preferably a mom. The most important thing Dante wants in a family is understanding and patience as he learns to express his feelings. “I am a good guy looking for a good family, who is going to support me in my journey to adulthood and beyond,” says Dante.

For more information about Dante, please contact Amrithini Keefe, Child Specific Recruiter for Children’s Home Society & Family Services at 651-255-2441 or AKeefe@chsfs.org


Frankie, 13, Nervous and Curious about Finding Family

When thinking about finding an adoptive family, Frankie, aged 13, admits to being nervous, scared, excited and curious. He says, “I really need a family that will support me even when I’m having bad days. A mom and dad would be great, but I would also be okay with a single mom or single dad.”

Siblings too would appeal to Frankie, especially if they would be older and willing to spend time with him. Rural or urban areas both appeal to Frankie who says, “I think I would be okay living most anywhere,” adding humorously, “France would be awesome because I would love to see the Eiffel Tower some day.”

Frankie gives a thumbnail sketch of himself that includes taste favorites of cheese pizza or macaroni and cheese, entertainment preferences of “Johnny Test, a cartoon that makes me laugh,” and his preferred pastime being playing outdoors with the hope of someday being on a football or soccer team. “I’m a nice kid,” says Frankie, “and I’m working really hard to keep moving forward in life.”

For more information on adopting Frankie, please contact Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter, Bambi Holloway at (320)520-0862, bholloway@pathinc.org, or Sarah Hill, Wilkin County social worker, at 218-643-8013.


Jessica, 15

Jessica is not bashful when it comes to spreading the word about the need for teen adoption. “Regardless of our age we still need love and support. Everybody is entitled to their hugs, kisses and love,” says Jessica. At 15, Jessica is a vivacious teen with a zest for life. She enjoys playing Dance Dance Revolution, likes to sing and particularly loves dogs and hopes to have a dog or cat in her adoptive home. Jessica lists “Twilight” and “Marley & Me” among her favorite movies and enjoys staying active by swimming and roller skating. Jessica is a typical teen who likes to hang out with her friends and watch movies and describes herself as “strong, well-minded and hysterical.”

As for having siblings in her adoptive home, she says, “I would love to have younger siblings because of my keen kindness towards younger children and people with disabilities.” She is open to older siblings. However the most important thing for Jessica is to find a family that will fully commit to becoming her forever family. Jessica wants a family that possesses a balance of patience, structure and understanding, realizing that she is well worth that commitment.

For more information about adopting Jessica, please contact Yvette Giles at 763-447-0141 or Catie Stokes at 612-348-7480.


Bobby, 17

Bobby is a young man with a smile that is likely to light up the entire room. Bobby has many talents, including cooking. He loves to whip up big breakfasts to share with his entire family. He considers himself creative and enjoys looking for new recipes to try. Bobby thinks that maybe one day he would like to be a famous chef.

When Bobby is not creating masterpieces in the kitchen, he enjoys watching and playing sports. He has played on the basketball team and hopes to try out for the track team this spring. Bobby thinks he would love to living in a small rural town or possibly on a farm. When asked if he could choose any pet in the world, he immediately said, “I would want a wolf.” Bobby needs a family willing to support and encourage his relationship with an older brother or younger sister.

For more information about Bobby, please contact Lynn Alvar, Morrison County at 320-632-0271 or Bambi Holloway, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Child-Focused Recruiter at 320-520-0862 or bholloway@pathinc.org


Carsahy, 13

In the following open letter to the family he waits to adopt him, 13-year old Carshay shows both his humorous and serious side. A potential family would need to nurture his emotional needs and commit to supporting him reach his full potential.

Dear Family:

My Name is Carshay. I like video games, board games and cards. But it’s going to take time to get used to living with you. It’s important that I keep in touch with my siblings. I want to keep in touch with people who are important to me. I am smart. I like to go out to eat. My favorite restaurant is Old Country Buffet. Math is my best subject in school and I want to be on the basketball team.

I like to collect cars, baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, and Pokéman cards. I like allowances. I like to clean only if I get paid, just kidding… I am funny. I like movies that include action, funny and sometimes “kiddish” movies. I liked Alvin and the Chipmunks and can’t wait to see Avatar. I like dogs. I’ve never been out of the state in my whole life. You might want to read my records so you know what I am going through and who I really am. The things I am telling you now is what I know.

From Carshay

For more information about Carshay, please contact Cimena Rogers at PATH Minnesota and Wendy’s Wonderful Kids at 651-224-2172 or crogers@pathinc.org


Jacki, 15
“I LOVE COWS!” exclaims Jacki, who at fifteen, enthusiastically embraces a variety of interests including scrapbooking, figure skating and animal rights. Even though cows are favorites with Jacki, she would like to live in a small city or medium-size rural area. Jacki adds, “I also love food. All of my previous foster families have said I am a bottomless pit. I have a high metabolism. I weigh 105, but I am not any bit self conscious about my figure. I am not big on shopping, but I am picky about what I wear. I love to figure skate. You can’t keep me off the ice.”

Related to her admiration for cows, Jacki says, “I am 100% against animal cruelty and testing and will not use any products that are used on animals. Oh, and I would love a pet fish.”

Jacki seeks a younger couple or single mom who will be involved with her interests, schooling and after school activities. She will do her best in a home where she is an only or the youngest child, and her new family must be comfortable with ongoing openness with birth family members.

For more information about Jacki, contact Azur Idali Walters, Child-Specific Adoption Recruiter at Children’s Home Society & Family Services at 651-255-2249 or awalters@chsfs.org.


Kayla, 13, Loves to Color Her Hair
“I once accidentally dyed my scalp pink!” exclaimed Kayla, age 13, who says she loves to change the color of her hair. In addition to changing hair colors, Kayla loves music and recently sang in a talent show. Kayla is very proud to share that she has an awesome memory for names and numbers. She also embraces a variety of activities including skateboarding, biking and walking around town. “I am great with babies and love to be around them,” says Kayla. When asked what she wants from a family she replied, “I am looking for a family that will give me clear rules and boundaries and will be consistent with consequences and rewards.”

For more information about Kayla, please contact Bambi Holloway, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, Child-Focused Recruiter at 320-529-0862 or bholloway@pathinc.org or Amanda Giese, McLeod County at 320-864-1217.