Children seek foster homes in Richland Parish

Skylar

There is a desperate need for foster families in the area.

“Currently their are 436 children in foster care in Monroe Region alone; nearly 5,000 children are in care throughout the state of Louisiana,” Kimberly Gaut said. “This is a huge number of children who currently have no place to call home of families to call there own.”

To qualify as a foster parents a person must meet the following requirements:

• At least 21 years old;

• Single, married, divorced or widowed;

• Have adequate physical space in their home for a child;

• Be able to provide a safe, nurturing environment for a child; and

• Have time and patience to give to a child.

Destiny and Skylar are just two of the children currently looking for foster homes in Richland Parish.

Skylar is an outgoing 13 year old male who loves to spend most of his time in the swimming pool. Skylar’s other hobbies include playing video games, cards and reading about animals. He loves to engage in good conversation preferably conversation that is centered around “animals.”

Skylar is currently in sixth grade. He is able to excels in his academics with little assistance. After High School, Skylar looks forward to attending college or joining the military. He has a desire to become a video game designer as a professional career. As you can see the future looks bright for this teen.

As he continues along the path of life, Skylar will need a family willing to assist him in exhibiting age appropriate coping skills. Skylar has experienced periods of hurt and disappointment and the family interested in this teen will need to be well rounded and patient.

For more information on this intelligent, outgoing, animal loving teen, please contact Wanda Moncreary at the Department of Children and Family Services at 362-3446.

Four-year old Destiny is very affectionate and loves giving “Bear Hugs and Hershey Kisses” all day long.

Destiny loves shopping and watching Elmo and Dora on television. She has an internal clock when it comes to the airing of these shows. Destiny sits while giving her full attention to Elmo and Dora, but does not hesitate to get up and dance or join in with her favorite characters to learn and explore. She would be thrilled if she could someday see Elmo and Dora in person.

Destiny’s tenacious personality makes her ready to take “life by the horns.” She believes that she is capable of doing everything four year olds do, and beyond. Her charisma and loving nature warms the hearts of people she comes into contact with everyday. Although born with Spinal Bifida, this active, vibrant princess has an overall healthy disposition and is very independent. Destiny requires adult supervision due to her age, but insists on doing things on her own. According to her pediatrician, her prognosis for improvement is high over time with consistent physical therapy, and lots of love and encouragement.

Destiny will began Head-Start this fall where making friends will be a piece of cake for her. She is no stranger to a good home cooked meal, as she exhibits a hearty appetite at home. She loves mac and cheese, fried chicken, pizza (of course), and unlike many children her age, enjoys fruit and vegetables. Her favorite fruit are bananas and grapes.

The perfect family for her would be loving, energetic, patient, and willing to keep up with her sense of fashion.

For more information on Destiny, please contact Shauntee Slack, the Adoption Specialist at the Monroe Regional Office of the Louisiana Department of Social Services at 362-4554