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.

Travis

Age: 15

"Hi, I'm Travis. I'm mostly quiet and shy. I like to go camping, fishing and swimming. I also like to work out, ride my bike and play video games. I am interested in playing sports and would like to be part of a team. I like to stay busy and active and I really enjoy being outdoors.

"I would like parents who will love me and nurture me. I want the rules to be fair and consequences are OK as long as I understand the reason. I would also like a family that goes to church."

Travis's strengths are that he likes to please adults and is genuinely kind, thoughtful, and helpful. He is always the first to say thank you, and to act if he sees a need he can meet. He has a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile. He thrives on positive attention from adults. He is enjoyable and happy a lot of the time.

Travis is doing well academically on a modified curriculum. He is on track to graduate with his class. Travis wants to graduate from high school and go on to learn a trade in construction or welding. Travis enjoys building things and has shown talent at fixing things that are not working properly.

More difficult areas of need are related to time when Travis' behavior may be hard to understand or when he feels less loveable. Simply put Travis needs patience when folks may feel they have none left. Travis doesn't learn, process or remember in the same way most other kids can. Travis will need parents who are able to set clear and firm boundaries. The more concrete and consistently enforced rules are, the better he will do. Travis will do best in a very structured home with parents who can give information in small doses. He needs parents who can help him reach developmental milestones without expecting him to do it at the same rate as other children. Travis needs help understanding how his actions have contributed to a conflict and accepting consequences. He needs parents who will give gentle and consistent reminders of appropriate behaviors and social interactions. Best results will be achieved when Travis feels safe, loved, and supported; when he knows that he is being heard and his feelings validated, and that he can work at his own pace to accomplish tasks and goals.

Travis is a genuinely kind and thoughtful young man who has an infectious smile. He needs a family that will be able to supervise him as he continues to grow and learn to make decisions on his own. With the support of patient and loving parents, Travis has the ability to continue to progress in his path to overcoming the difficulties of his past experiences.

If you think you can be this support for Travis, call the today!

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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