Wednesday's Child: 9-Year-Old Samantha

Samantha is a bright little 9-year-old Caucasian girl who is a strong advocate for herself. She enjoys arts and crafts, drawing and baking. She also likes gymnastics and has been participating in lessons through a local gym. Samantha recently stepped down from a residential program to a foster home. She continues to attend day school and receive educational supports through her former placement. Samantha likes school, particularly writing and recess. She is used to being an only child and has struggled in settings with peers who have needs similar to her. Samantha can verbalize her needs and feelings well and she benefits from one on one, clear and concise rules and limits.

Legally freed for adoption, Samantha would do best in a home with a single mom or a two-parent family with older children if there were other children. A new family will need to be able to maintain contact with relatives who were former caretakers through phone and some visits. Samantha would like a family with pets and older siblings.

For more information you can contact MARE: 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.mareinc.org.

Since its inception in 1981, Wednesday's Child has been a collaboration of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), the Department of Children & Families and WBZ-TV/CBS Boston. Hosted by Jack Williams for the last 34 years, this weekly series has given a face and voice to the children who wait the longest for families. Wednesday's Child has helped find homes for hundreds of waiting children and continues to raise awareness about adoption from foster care.