Editor's Note: Window on the Clearwater has joined the Wednesday's Child network to help spread the word about children that are waiting for families to give them the loving care that they need. Each Wednesday we will profile a different child. For more information about Wednesday's Child and how you can be involved check the web site at: http://www.icwrtc.org/wednesdays-child-1.

Gene

Age: 16

Gene is a fun young man that finds the joy and excitement in almost anything! He likes to have fun at community events and loves surprises - the good kind of course! He loves Legos, and dreams of becoming an architect, owning a firm, and being in charge of building beautiful things.

There are many subjects that intrigue Gene and that he enjoys - architecture, engineering, construction, science, math, mythology, and history - just to name a few! He likes to play tennis and baseball, and likes football when he gets the opportunity. Gene has recently tried his hand at cooking, which he also enjoys! He likes to make BBQ items, pancakes, and ground-beef dishes. In fact, Gene's favorite holidays are any that involve food! He doesn't mind helping out around the house with sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and taking out the trash. He feels people tend to have high expectations when it comes to dishes so that's not necessarily his favorite thing to do.

Gene wants people in his life that will care and be involved; someone he can do fun things with. He is very imaginative and creative and would like someone who encourages and supports this side of him. He would also like them to be aware of his limitations and exercise patience. Maintaining important contacts is vital to Gene - particularly with his Grandma, sister, and brother.

Gene has worked hard at overcoming many obstacles and is proud that he is able to remain happy, fun, and humorous. When it comes to trusting others, Gene says, "It may take a little while to earn my trust, but once my trust is earned, it can't be taken away. I would never do that to someone."

Gene's permanency team is looking for parents who can provide consistency and structure, but who are also flexible and able to pick their battles. Also, Gene would benefit from having an active family who like sports or any kind of outdoor activities. Gene needs a family that has a positive outlook and is supportive of his goals. Gene experiences occasional struggles with his peers and would greatly benefit from parents who are able to monitor and guide him through these relationships. The ideal family should be educated or experienced in what it means to be "trauma-informed", or be willing to learn. Gene needs parents that are able to spend a lot of time with him and show him the unconditional love he needs.

For more information on the Wednesday s Child Program in Idaho please visit, http://idahowednesdayschild.org/ or contact Shannon Foust via email, sfoust@ewu.edu, or cell 208.488.8989 if you have specific questions.

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