There are about 800 children who are ready for adoption in Virginia. They are ready to find a permanent and loving forever family. 10 News is highlighting one child who needs a home every day in November during 30 Days of Hope. The children are of all ages and races and were put into foster care due to no fault of their own. 2024 marks the eighth year 10 News is doing this series.
A high schooler who takes pride in doing well in class and an outstanding crossword puzzle champion. Marie is just one of the 800 kids who can be adopted in Virginia.
“I love anime and animals. I just have a connection to them,” said 16-year-old Marie. “I want to go into animal rescuing. There’s animals who are having it really rough out there. I want to try to save every animal that I cross paths with.”
Marie enjoys creating art, spending time in the garden and listening to music.
She says friends would describe her as charismatic, energetic, a good friend, loving, and kind.
“I look for kindness, loyalty and honesty because to me those are the most important traits that a friend should have,” said Eve.
She’s looking forward to turning a year older.
“My 17th birthday is coming up. I want to have a party, an actual party with friends that I met and have pizza, have anime gifts, tablecloths, anime everything.”
Marie wants what every kid does -- stability, love and someone to lean on.
“My ideal family would be a mom and/or a dad that will be there for me when I’m going through something that’s rough. A sibling that’s around my age. [We] Would go out to anime conventions, parks, swimming, movie nights, the normal teenager stuff. I would feel comfortable there and I would just know the right place. Deep down in my heart I would know that I belong, that I’m with the people that I’m meant to be with. They would just be the perfect family,” said the teen.
Marie continues to be flexible and adaptable. She likes to learn new things.
Marie is looking forward to being accepted and nurtured. She is looking for her forever family.
Ready to take the next step?
Frequently asked questions about foster care and adoption in Virginia can be found here.
If you have questions about foster care/adoption or are interested in starting the process, contact VDSS Division of Family Services Adoption Recruitment Coordinator at adoptioninquiries@dss.virginia.gov.
To see all the 30 Days of Hope stories and children we are featuring, visit us here.
You can see more about Marie here. I Belong Project™ videos are a project of Virginia’s Kids Belong in cooperation with America’s Kids Belong.