Kids & Family
A Child is Waiting: Creative Katy Loves Art, Animals, Books
Hundreds of Michigan children are hoping to share their lives with forever families of their own before they age out of the system...
by Honey Murray with permission by Digital First Media
Being a teenager has a special set of challenges. For a teenager without a family or mentor of their own, those challenges can be much more daunting.
Fifteen-year-old Katy said, “To me, ‘family’ is a group of people that live together and care about each other.” Katy is looking for a family connection that will, in her own words, help her to “go to a neighborhood school, have a routine, and not be in the system any longer.”
Find out what's happening in Troyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Katy is a resilient young woman who acknowledges her difficult journey but also considers it an opportunity to grow,” said her care provider. “She is individualistic, and she is great at storytelling. She always has so much to tell me about her day – with lots of details. If I had to describe her with three words, I’d say she is creative, empathetic and outgoing if comfortable.”
Katy loves coloring and often carries a bag of art supplies with her. “She will create with anything she can get her hands on,” her care provider says, “and has every color of Sharpie there is!”
Find out what's happening in Troyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Currently in eighth grade, Katy enjoys reading, painting and photography, and she is proud of her improvement in school. Her hobbies include swimming, roller skating, fishing, listening to music and watching action, comedy and Marvel movies.
“I’m full of energy,” Katy said, “but I also like to sleep and relax – especially on the weekends.” And, though Katy admits that it’s sometimes hard to let people into her life, she is open to everyone when she is comfortable. “One of the best things about me,” she said, “is that little kids love me!”
Katy’s care provider recommends a two-parent family, able to give her the attention she needs; to focus on her and to work on building a trusting relationship, complete with boundaries and routines.
“It would be ideal for Katy to be an only child, though she could do well with siblings if those relationships developed. Katy is open to adoption by a same-sex couple.” A vegetarian, Katy’s ideal home would include pets.
“Katy would also benefit from a committed mentor who could see her monthly and always be available to talk,” said her care provider.
For more information, contact Orchards Children’s Services of Southfield at 855-694-7301 or visit orchards.org.
