CHLSS

  • Donate
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Adoption
    • Infant Adoption
    • A father and son created through foster care adoption embrace.Foster Care Adoption
    • Young girl from China smiles at the camera.International Adoption
    • Close
  • Foster Care
    • Three siblings in foster care smile in the part with their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders.Foster Care
    • An African American single woman wraps her arms around two brothers she adopted from foster care.Foster Care Adoption
    • Close
  • Pregnancy Services
    • Birth parents and adoptive parents smile with son.Open Adoption
    • Parenting
    • A father holds a football for his infant child.Birth Fathers
    • Happy woman and man waiting to adopt a child.Waiting Family Profiles
    • Close
  • Post Adoption
    • Domestic Post Adoption
    • International Post Adoption
    • Post Adoption Resources
    • A teen boy who was adopted from Korea as an infant smiles against a stone wall.Post Placement Reports
    • Close
  • Education & Events
    • An Ethiopian adoptee and her sister smile and hug.Education & Events Calendar
    • A woman attends a webinar.Recorded Webinars
    • Close
  • About Us
    • Mission & History
    • Leadership
    • Employment
    • Volunteer
    • Close
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Login
Home / Blog / Waiting Children / Meet a Young Advocate: A child waiting this December

Meet a Young Advocate: A child waiting this December

December 13, 2019 by Staff Contributor

Ethan, who waits to be adopted from foster care, smiles with Harry Potter toys.An active and passionate 7 year old waiting in foster care

With an inquisitive nature, Ethan asks a lot of questions—and if you tell him something, he’ll remember. This is probably why he’s learned so much from his grandmother. She has taught him to have a deep sense of pride in himself and being a person of color. She’s also talked with him about the injustices in the world and as a result, Ethan is learning to advocate for himself and others. If he feels that other kids are not being treated correctly, or if the staff are not listening to him, he will speak up and talk about it. “He’ll ask why things aren’t fair and what we can do about it,” shares his Child-Specific Recruiter, Diana.

A picture Ethan painted during art therapy.Along with an awareness of the world, Ethan is acutely aware of himself. “He’s smart—really smart—and street savvy,” Diana notes. So his team is working with him to help him process his past. “He’s a really good kid,” Diana reiterates. “He’s just hurting.”

Using colors to express how he’s feeling, Ethan has been participating in art therapy. This week he painted the art to the right and explained, “The yellow is me because I am a ray of sunshine and need to be protected.”

Ethan’s body is as active as his mind. “He’s such an energetic kid,” explains Diana. “We’re always doing something when we meet.” Diana got him a bike this fall and he rode it up and down the sidewalk of his apartment building every day until the snow. He also loves swimming and soccer—he’d really like to join a team someday.

Ethan needs an adoptive family that understands the value of living in a community of color and advocating for the experiences of people of color. He has a very strong relationship with his grandmother, so it’s important his family be committed to keeping a connection with her and seeing her as an active part of Ethan’s life that will help him thrive. Because of his birth family connections and services, it would be best if Ethan’s adoptive family lived in the Twin Cities metro. Ethan’s family should embody patience, vigilance, flexibility and commitment. They will need to supervise his activities, so a two-parent household may be the best fit. His parents should also be prepared to help him as he heals, with the understanding that he may regress at times as he processes his past.

Ethan, who waits to be adopted from foster care, smiles on a carousel.Details to Note

The majority of costs to Minnesota clients adopting a child under Minnesota state guardianship are covered by a contract with the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Learn More About Ethan

If you would like to know more about Ethan, please contact Diana Mena at [email protected] or 651-255-2349. Families may have to provide certain documentation to receive full information.

Meet oTHER WAITING CHILDREN

During December we are advocating for 12 children who currently wait for families. We appreciate any time you take to get to know these children and consider whether your family, or a family you know, could be theirs.

Meet 12 Children Who Wait This December
FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPrintFriendly

Filed Under: Waiting Children

Meet Waiting Children

View Children

Help a Child Thrive

Contribute Today

Main Office

1605 Eustis Street
Saint Paul, MN 55108
651.646.7771
800.952.9302
[email protected]

Maryland Office

15800 Crabbs Branch Way Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20855
301.562.6500
[email protected]

Virginia Office

4101 Chain Bridge Road Suite 301
Fairfax, VA 22030
703.214.5533
[email protected]

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Charities Review Council
Standards_Seal_BLACK_WEB
Charities Review Council Seal 2022
coa-logo
NCFA Member Seal_
IAAME
Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Approval
Human Rights Campaign seal

© 2023 Children's Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. All Rights Reserved.

Terms & Conditions Privacy policy Developed by Vivid Image Staff Login