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/.

Cody

Age: 14

"Hi. I'm Cody. I'm fourteen, and my two favorite things are basketball and skateboarding. I'll be in the tenth grade next year, and I hope to play basketball on the school team."

Cody also just got a new skate board, and he is eager to practice with it and learn new tricks. While Cody does love these two sports, he has other interests, too. He loves all things electronic and was proud to show off his MP3 player, CD player, and PSP. He also enjoyed the new digital camera he was given for his special day with the Wednesday's Child crew.

This polite, quiet, sincere young man is a genuine pleasure to be around. He is considerate of others, is well mannered, and shows genuine interest in those around him. Cody has struggled in the past with behaviors associated with his coming into care nearly five years ago. He has been in several foster placements and has just successfully completed a one-year program in residential treatment. Cody's ability to cope with his losses and early trauma has greatly improved with therapy and treatment over the last year.

His worker feels that Cody is now ready to be successful in a permanent, loving, adoptive family. When asked what kind of a family he wants, Cody replied, "First I would pick a mom who would love me and take care of me. Then I would pick a dad that was safe, and who would really talk to me. He would take me on go-carts and play sports with me, too. I would also like to have brothers and sisters...pets would be ok, too!"

It is clear that Cody is also ready to find his forever family. However, he does have strong attachments to his birth family, including half brothers and sisters. He worries about them and their overall well-being, and would need to continue some contact with them. He very much identifies with his half siblings Hispanic culture. While he is not Hispanic, he does understand Spanish, can speak a little, and would be interested in maintaining a connection with the Hispanic culture.

Cody's adoption team is looking for a very loving, patient, skilled family. A two-parent home with older or younger siblings would be best for Cody. A family that has some training related to parenting children with special needs, and/or who are experienced foster parents would be ideal. The adoption team also feels that Cody can succeed in a family with a lot of compassion, structure, and firm boundaries. Cody needs parents who are willing to invest their time and energy into seeing that he gets the resources he needs to continue to progress. This young man has a great deal of potential, and with the right family, he is sure to succeed.

Portraits by Pomerelle Portrait Design Studios

To find out more about Tyler, or for information on adoption or foster care, call the Idaho CareLine number, 1-800-926-2588. In Idaho you can dial 2-1-1. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30317.

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