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/.

Mariah

Age: 14

"Hi, I'm Mariah. My friends tell me I'm hilarious. I like to make them laugh until they cry. They would also tell you I'm strong and I don't give up. I fight for what I believe in. I'm compassionate and stick up for kids who are being picked on.

I like to play soccer, even though there is a lot of running. I've also been in All Star Cheerleading. I'll be trying out for Cheerleading next year. I'm pretty active. I would like a family that would support me and come to my games.

I'd like a family that lives in a nice home and works hard to provide for their family; a family with enough resources to live comfortably. I'd like to go shopping and have my hair and nails done occasionally. I want to go on vacations with my family.

I also want a family that will understand how important my relationship is with my dad and let me stay in touch and visit with him and my grandparents. I might like an older sister or brother."

Mariah is a bright young lady who does well in school. She also has lofty goals for her future career and wants to work in law enforcement, specifically crime scene investigation. She has a caring heart, which she shares with friends and even animals. She has volunteered to walk dogs at the Humane Society and loved it, even though she said it was sad. "They cry when you leave them", she said. "That's so hard!" Mariah would love to have a pet of her own someday.

Mariah sees herself being married and having kids someday, and maybe even adopting! But she stated that she does not want her children to go through what she has been through. "I don't drink or do drugs. I've never smoked. I don't believe in having sex before I'm ready to get married and be a mom. I've seen how hard it is for teenagers to have kids as teen moms. Their lives are miserable."

Mariah has opened up her idea of where her family might live. She has stated recently that she might consider living out of state if people would commit to letting her visit her friends and family in Southwest Idaho.

According to her caseworker, who has known her for a year, "Mariah has a wonderful, funny sense of humor. She's smart, articulate, and feisty. She sometimes needs to put a lid on that, but she knows what she wants." Mariah has insight into her own behavior. Though she may not apologize a lot, she can see where a choice might not have been the best, and she corrects herself. She's got good goals and she sticks with them.

Mariah's adoption team is looking for a two-parent family with patience, flexibility and listening skills. Mariah needs parents who will let her make many decisions for herself- and who will talk to her about what her plan is and give her support in following that plan. She is determined, strong willed, and goal oriented. Mariah's deepest desire and hope is that she will find a family who will love her, accept her, support her, and help her reach her goals. With the support of a loving permanent family, Mariah will take flight and soar to heights she not even she yet imagined.

Portrait by Nette Shaff at Graphic Photo

To find out more about Mariah, adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine or call 1-800-926-2588. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30473.

Wednesday's Child Archives...