Design by Weebly Templates

Forever Families

Forever Families airs every Sunday on News 8 Austin on Channel 8 in the Austin area and Channel 18 in the Killeen area. As a partnership, News 8 Austin and the Adoption Coalition of Texas launched Forever Families in April 2004. These segments air each Sunday and are designed to highlight some of the children who are currently waiting to be placed with their Forever Family and to educate viewers about the issues surrounding foster care adoptions.  To view these segments, click on the image or link provided with each article below.
All images, illustrations, audio clips and video clips in the Forever Families section of this site are protected by copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights which are owned and controlled by YNN, its related companies or by other parties that have licensed their material to YNN.
There are no fees to adopt a waiting child from foster care, regardless of which agency you work with - Learn more now!
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment on Kiana

Kiana
February 18, 2013

For teen girls like Kiana, boy bands are a hot topic. Thirteen-year-old Kiana has dreams to go to a One Direction concert someday, but her first priority is to be adopted.

At Austin’s Art Garage, Kiana described to YNN just how deep her love for One Direction is. She knows exactly which singers sing on each song and has their game, book and CD.

Kiana says she'd love to have a sister to exchange stories and secrets with, and she's not afraid of a little sibling rivalry.  "I can be a middle child, so I can be a little sister and bother my big brother or big sister and I'll like have a little brother or sister that bothers me all the time," Kiana said.

Living in foster care, she's had to move around a lot. Kiana said she looks forward to the permanency of a forever home.

Click here to view the video segment on Kiana
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment on Shelby

Shelby
February 18, 2013

If you combined a love for animals and art with a touch of soft-spoken sweetness, you get 10-year-old Shelby.  While tackling pottery projects in Austin’s Art Garage, Shelby told YNN about her hobbies and favorite subjects in school. She enjoys to paint and draw, but also likes science class.

One class she wishes she could take would be one which involves animals. That’s where Shelby’s passion lies.  Shelby’s current foster home is on a farm and it has helped her love for animals flourish.

Saying goodbye to the different foster homes she's left over the years hasn't been easy. For a 10-year-old, adoption can sound a little scary at first. After all, it involves moving just one more time when she's already moved so much, but for Shelby, the idea of having a forever family sounds nice.

Click here to view the video segment on Shelby
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment on Jaylen

Jaylen

On a Sunday afternoon, you can find 13-year-old Jaylen drawing or dancing as they are his favorite things to do. Jaylen had a chance to let his creative side shine with a trip to Rural Rooster, a screen printing shop in East Austin.

The 13-year-old has big plans for his future, but there's two things he says he needs in order to accomplish his dreams, one of which is an education.

"All my dreams where I want to grow up and be in the NFL, grow up and be a basketball player or own my own business—all of that stuff—I can't do anything without it. An education comes first,” Jaylen said. “If I don't have an education I'll end up like some of these dudes on the streets."  The other gift he needs is a family by his side to encourage him.

“I’ve had to go through things that most kids don't have to go through," Jaylen said. "I didn't really have time to even be a kid and know what it feels like to be able to throw a ball back and forth with a dad, so that would be one thing that I'd really love."

Click here to view the video segment on Jaylen
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment on Ty'Shawn & Chry'Shawna

Ty'Shawn & Chry'Shawna
January 28, 2013

It’s no secret that siblings can be competitive, and 10-year-old Ty'Shawn and his eight-year-old sister Chry'Shawna are no exception. They both love to dance and even compete through dance battles. Once the music started at Ballet Austin, the two got right to it.

Both Ty’Shawn and Chry’Shawna have playful personalities and contagious smiles. Ty’Shawn said he wants to be in the Air Force when he grows up, and his sister said she wants to dance.

However, their more immediate dreams are focused squarely on finding a forever family. While they're still a little young to completely understand what adoption means, they are aware of some of the positives. “It's really awesome,” Chry’Shawna said. “We won't have to move everywhere and pack our stuff up." Ideally, Ty' Shawn and Chry'Shawna will find a family that loves to boogie and will give them the support they need.

"They treat us good and are the best family I could ever have in our whole life," Chry’Shawna said.

Click here to view the video segment on Ty'Shawn & Chry'Shawna
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment on Trey

Trey

Trey
January 21, 2013

Ten-year-old Trey has a lot of spunk for his age, and his sense of humor puts some comedians to shame. We met up for a lesson at SoccerZone, with a lot of laughs along the way.

It wasn't easy trying to outplay a 10-year-old soccer fan. Getting outside, playing sports and staying active are some of Trey's favorite things to do.  He wants to get adopted and have a family that shares similar interests.

"Play games, like board games, any board game. I don't really care," Trey said.  Some little things are a big deal to Trey. He can't wait to get adopted and have his own room.  "To give me a home to live in and a really fluffy bed to sleep in,” he said.

Click here to view the video segment on Trey.
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment about Chaz

Chaz

Chaz
January 14, 2013

When it comes to adoption, it’s more than just newborns who need new homes. There are hundreds of foster children in Central Texas—including 13-year-old Chaz—who are still waiting to find their forever families. The thought of breaking a board was daunting for Chaz. After all, it was his first time trying martial arts, but the pros at the Academy of Martial Arts had it covered.

First, he took some pointers from Master Moen and learned some of the basics of Tae-Kwon-Do.  In fact, Chaz loves to learn and loves school.  "It's not only that you get to see your friends, but you get to learn things,” he said. “Without learning things, you won't get nowhere, so it's better to have fun in school, then when you get out of school, you can get a job and hang out with your friends.”

At just 13, Chaz has a good head on his shoulders and he knows what he wants out of life. At the top of his list is a family.  "I want to be adopted because I think I should be with a family that cares and I should be happy,” Chaz said.

Click here to view the video segment on Chaz
Andrew - Forever Families
Click the image above to view the video segment about Andrew

Andrew

Andrew
January 7, 2013

For the last six years, Andrew has called many different foster placements his home. Now sixteen years old, Andrew is hoping to hit a home run with a forever family.  A fan of both football and baseball, Andrew was excited to take a tour of the Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Outside of sports, Andrew also has a knack for building things and engineering. At school, he loves to participate in athletics and study math.  When he grows up, he wants to become a certified pilot and eventually work on trains.  Andrew’s moved around in foster care for years, and he says he's ready to settle down.

"It would feel good because I wouldn't have to move anymore," he said. "I've been in CPS for six years and it kind of got old. I want to be permanent and I get tired of moving."

Click here to view the video segment on Andrew
Darryl - Forever Families
Click the image above to view the video segment about Darryl

Darryl

Darryl
January 7, 2013

Twelve-year-old Darryl received a martial arts lesson from the Achieve Academy of Martial Arts, and shared why he hopes to find a knock-out forever family.  Darryl is a little shy at first, but once he's had a chance to warm up, he'll probably make you laugh.

When it comes to school, he likes his hands-on classes the most.  "P.E. and band," he said.  The active fellow plays the Baritone, and like anything in life, practice makes perfect. He says learning a new instrument wasn't easy.  "At first it's hard, but when you learn the positions," Darryl said.  Darryl is hoping he'll get adopted and have a chance to learn even move in a forever home with a family.

Click here to view the video segment on Darryl
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment about Careissa, Dylon & Penelope

Careissa, Dylon & Penelope

Careissa, Dylon & Penelope
December 17, 2012

Fifteen-year-old Careissa, 13-year-old Dylon and 11-year-old Penelope are three siblings who love each other dearly, but they don't share the same home. The trio received a special meeting for an afternoon of fun and painting at The Art Garage. They're hopeful that a forever family can bring them together and complete the bond they've been waiting for.
"We haven't been together since I was 11, and I'm 15 now," Careissa said.  The girls say their brother Dylon loves to protect them.

"I don't want to be separated,” Dylon said. “I want to stay with my sisters because I love them."  The siblings are now looking for a family to seal them together forever.

"I want to get adopted so we can be together, and be able to have a family that we can be with for a long time," Careissa said.

Click here to view the video segment on Careissa, Dylon & Penelope.
Picture
Click the above image to view the video segment about Ryan

Ryan

Ryan
December 10, 2012

It doesn't take long at all for Ryan to open up and show you his smile. People say his kindness is one of his best personality traits."They'd describe me as friendly, helpful, nice," he said.  The 16-year-old is a jack of all trades. He is in the sports medicine program at his high school, and gets to help out the sports teams during the games.

Off the field, he has other interests. He went bowling at Highland Lanes with YNN's Jennifer Borget, where he talked about his other hobbies.
"I like to go bowling. I like to go fishing, and mostly I just like to hang out with friends," Ryan said.  He has big dreams to go to college and become a police officer.

"A regular police officer that goes and patrols the streets, keeps everyone safe," Ryan said.  While Ryan hopes to someday be the guy who helps others for a living, right now, he needs his own family to help him grow.   "A family that's energetic, that likes to be outgoing and go different places," he said.

Click here to view the video segment on Ryan.
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment about Marshall

Marshall

Marshall
December 3, 2012

Fourteen-year-old Marshall is one-of-a-kind. He loves music, and has a playful personality that pulls you in.  He loves all kinds of music. We met up with local musicians Byrd and Street to see just how music is made. Marshall's favorite instruments are the drums, and piano.  A big joker, Marshall has kept his child-like sense of wonder going strong and has a shining sense of humor to match.

Marshall's enjoyment with the little things is apparent in his eyes, but a big key missing from his life—parents of his own to share his enthusiasm.  "I'd have someone to love and go to when I get older," he said.

Right now Marshall lives in foster care. He says it's not the same as a forever family and that the idea of getting adopted is like music to his ears.  "I need a family,” Marshall said. “I don't want just to go different places and then, go ‘Oh, they're good for me' Oh, nevermind.'"

With Marshall’s kind smile, and great sense of humor, he's a great catch for the right family.

Click here to view the video segment on Marshall.
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment on Isaiah

Isaiah

Isaiah
November 23, 2012

A one-on-one basketball lesson with former University of Texas basketball player Bill Wendlandt at the nonprofit HoopZone kept 16-year-old Isaiah on his toes.  Aside from sports, Isaiah likes to have fun being outside.  "Camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, shooting, four-wheeling, mudding--pretty much anything that's outdoors," he said.  Isaiah says “mudding” is a lot messier than basketball.

"It's where you get a 4-wheeler and you drive through the mud as fast as you can, and it sprays all over you,” he said.

Isaiah isn't afraid to get a little dirty if it means having fun. At 16, he's looking for a family to help him through this crucial time in his life where teens are making big decisions about college, career and life after high school.
Click to view the video segment about Isaiah.
Mason
Click the image to view the video segment about Mason

Mason

Mason
November 12, 2012

Last year, we introduced you to Mason, a sweet and generous boy looking for a family of his own.  Well this 11-year-old is still waiting for his family and hopes to find one soon.

Hoop Zone, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching life skills and basketball to youth, gave 11-year-old Mason a chance to work on his game. Games of all sorts are right up Mason's alley. He'd like a family to join his team.

"A family that's nice, they're active with sports and stuff, and video games and stuff," Mason said. "I like playing football and basketball and baseball."

Click here to view the video segment on Mason.
Picture
Click the image above to view the video segment about Bri

Bri

Bri
November 5, 2012

Earlier this year, YNN introduced you to a young aspiring artist named Bri. She told us how she's been waiting to find a forever family which doesn't need to be picture-perfect, just a perfect fit. We caught up with Bri again at Ballet Austin to see how she’s been doing while learning some dance moves.

Bri loves to boogie, and says moving while dancing is fun, but moving from place to place, is not. That is something she hopes comes to an end very soon.

Click here to view the video segment on Bri.

Cheyenne

Cheyenne
October 22, 2012

Music and dancing can bring out even the shiest of children. Fourteen-year-old Cheyenne loves to dance, and she's a big Justin Bieber fan.So an afternoon of lessons at Ballet Austin dancing to his tunes was the perfect warm up before talking about finding a forever family.

While it's fun to have big dreams of being a singer on stage, Cheyenne has other exciting career goals.

"Go to college and work for a doctor," she said.

Aside from getting out of foster care and into a permanent home, Cheyenne looks forward to the security a real family can give.

Click here to view the video sgment on Cheyenne.

TerraBlue

TerraBlue
October 15, 2012

TerraBlue, 14, is sure that once a family takes the time to get to know her, they'll see how easily she can fit into their family."People called me Tara, people never called me Blue until one of my friends called me that, and now people call me Blue and I like it," she said.

Her nickname may be Blue, but that far from describes her personality. TerraBlue is spunky, outgoing, and loves to stay busy.  "I like being in ROTC, I like competing,” she said “I'm the win-win-win person, I don't like losing." But what she wants more than anything is a family behind her during her wins.

Click here to view the video segment on TerraBlue.

Victoria

Victoria
October 7, 2012

Victoria is just 11 years old, but she already has her eyes set on some big goals.First on the list—find a forever family. Victoria currently lives in foster care and wants to join a big family more than anything.

After just a few minutes of playing at Austin's Park, you realized Victoria is not a quitter. At just 11, she’s already endured more than most children, but she doesn’t let it bring her down.

“I want to be a nurse or a police officer,” she said. “I want to help people, get better and I care about people that are sick, and I don't want anybody hurting anyone else."

At times, Victoria's life has felt unstable, but she hopes the spinning will stop soon and she'll continue the ride with a forever family.

Click here to view the video segment on Victoria.

Nalia

Nalia
September 30, 2012

Every child has their own set of challenges, but when you put in the work together to overcome them, the rewards make the hard times worth it.  Eleven-year-old Nalia is making great strides in learning and growing, but she needs a family to help her reach her full potential.

Like any other child, Nalia loves to learn and play. She's made great strides in school in learning sign language, and completing puzzles and projects.

More than ever, she now needs the same support at home.

Click here to view the video segment on Nalia.
Forever Families
Click the image to view the video segment about Beloved, Damien, Melanie, and Divine

Beloved, Damien, Melanie and Divine

Beloved, Damien, Melanie & Divine
June 24, 2012

There's nothing like family, but hundreds of foster children in Central Texas are living without one of their own.

Siblings Beloved, 8, Damien, 4, Melanie, 3, and Divine, 2, have each other, but they are waiting patiently for a forever family. In a visit to the park, the siblings enjoyed playing and feeding the animals.

Damien and Melanie agreed that two loving parents are what they most want.

Two-year-old Divine, nicknamed Miss Miss, does her best to keep up with her siblings, but sometimes gets scared. That's something she, and her siblings, can overcome with the help of a forever family.
Click here to view the video segment for Beloved, Damien, Melanie and Divine
Picture
Click the image to view the video segment about Aruvon

Aruvon

Aruvon
June 17, 2012

A permanent family gives a foster child a big advantage in life, no matter when they're adopted. But for 12-year-old Aruvon, the sooner the better.

Tommy's Drum Shop in South Austin was like a candy story for the young drummer. About to turn 13, Aruvon needs a father now more than ever.

"We're looking for somebody that has a father figure," his caseworker LeeAnn Walsten said. "He really needs that father figure for him, to help him. He enjoys having a foster dad right now and that's helped him to progress."

Aruvon said he also enjoys sports and hopes someday he can join a basketball team.
Click here to view the video segment for Aruvon