Wednesday's Child: 13-Year-Old Keyshawn
BOSTON (CBS) - Keyshawn is a humorous, inquisitive and engaging boy who likes to be kept busy. Of African American, Caucasian and Native American heritage, 13-year-old Keyshawn can be serious and reserved with unfamiliar people.
Adults in Keyshawn's life are fond of him, and even those who have just met him say he's a "great kid." With peers, Keyshawn is popular and can be a good role model. He is seeking an adoptive home that can give him the nurturance and stability he needs to thrive.
WBZ-TV's Jack Williams reports.
Keyshawn has completed the sixth grade at a therapeutic day school and had a great year, earning straight A's. Academically, he is several years advanced in some areas while slightly below in others. Keyshawn is reading at or near a ninth grade level. Keyshawn generally has good conduct at school but sometimes avoids work if he finds it not interesting or too challenging.
In his spare time, Keyshawn enjoys most sports, especially football and basketball. He also likes trying new activities, including karate. In addition to being athletic, Keyshawn is artistic and likes to draw, read and play video games. In the past, Keyshawn has talked about joining the army when he gets older.
Keyshawn is most successful in foster homes when there is clear structure and limit setting. He follows directions well and generally accepts limits. Keyshawn has emotional and behavioral challenges related to the multiple moves and losses in his life. He prefers to be in non-intimate, residential settings, but does not require that level of care.
Keyshawn would do well in a single or two-parent family with a strong male role model with either no other children or significantly older children in the home. Keyshawn is legally free for adoption and needs a family that will keep him connected to birth family, specifically his younger brother.
To learn more about Keyshawn, and about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.MAREinc.org. The sooner you call, the sooner a waiting child will have "a permanent place to call HOME."
