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.idahowednesdayschild.org/.

Senayda

Age: 13

Portrait and profile submitted to SNAPS

Senayda is a strong, resilient girl who has hopes for her future with her forever family. As her caseworker says, "Her smile just lights up the world." Senayda's dream of having everyday comforts, technology, and activities include: her own room, a library card, Internet access, a cell phone, and to participate in sports like soccer and basketball. She loves animals, especially dogs, and takes pride in them loving her. She would like to have farm animals.

Senayda's forever family needs to honor her Hispanic heritage as it is important to her. She speaks Spanish, as well as English.

Although not yet legally free for adoption, Senayda is living in a therapeutic group home and is making strides there. She has a great team working with her and will need the same in her adoptive home. A smooth transition with counseling and medication therapy will aid in the transition into her forever home.

Senayda succeeds better within structure and routine. A posted calendar, showing upcoming events, helps reduce her anxiety. It is essential that her parents follow through with what they say they will do.

Senayda struggles with symptoms of past trauma including anxiety. She is making huge strides in learning to self-regulate emotions and behaviors. She has sympathy for others. She realizes she was a victim but says she is not one now. Her caseworker explains that "there's still an innocence about her and hopefulness of a forever family that's appropriate."

Senayda has great respect for her caseworker and her CASA. They explain it is due to setting consistent boundaries and expectations with clear consequences. It will be important for her to maintain these relationships in the future. She would possibly like to have some phone contact with her birth mother in the future, but only with the support of her forever family.

Senayda would do best as the youngest or only child. She could do well with a variety of parental constellations. Senayda needs a family who is patient and willing to stick through things with her because she will test. Senayda yearns for a family that will love her as she is and help her grow into all that she wants to be as well.

To find out more about Senayda; adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine (Please include your zip code and city.) or call 1-800-926-2588. Senayda is available for adoption through the State of Oregon.

Wednesday's Child Archives...