Ariane

Born in June 1996, Ariane enjoys basketball, playing the clarinet, listening to music and playing board games, with Monopoly and Candy Land as her favorites. She is living with a foster family that is pleased to help her transition into an adoptive home.
She well-mannered and is generally a happy child. She likes being outdoors and swimming, and responds well to structure and routine in the home.

Working hard to do well in school, she receives special-education services and is mainstreamed for some activities. She enjoys reading and her favorite subjects are math and science.

She participates in therapy and engages well with her therapist. These sessions would need to continue. She is looking for stability in her life and needs a family that will interact with and work with her, with realistic expectations.

Ariane says she would like a family that is “nice, kind, responsible and respectful.” An adoption subsidy and Maine Care will be available, and she is eligible to apply for a tuition waiver for college in the state.

Nick

Born in February 1994, Nick is a friendly and engaging teen. He has been in foster care since age 6. Nick has a good sense of humor, is outgoing with adults and enjoys being with people.

He tends to be quiet, but is also willing to try new things. Last year, he belonged to the ski club and loved it. He also participated in the hiking club and joined the baseball team. Although he didn’t get much playing time, he attended every game and cheered his team on. He enjoys camping, especially a two-week overnight camp with swimming that he has attended the past two years.

At home, he likes to watch TV, play video games or use the computer. Above all, he loves to read.

He receives special-education supports and, like many boys his age, will need reminders and prompts to complete his homework each night. He describes himself as a “nice, friendly kid.” He would like to be an only child and has two older biological siblings with whom he’d like to maintain contact with.

Ariane and Nick are two of 149 children in Maine Department of Health & Human Service’s care who are seeking adoption. 115 of those children have been waiting for permanency for more than a year. There are 1,998 children in the state’s care and 1,229 licensed foster homes.
Based in Gardiner, A Family for ME is a nonprofit program that works in collaboration with Maine DHHS. For more information, call A Family for ME toll free at 1-877-505-0545 or visit www.AFamilyForMe.org and see the Heart Gallery of photographs of some of the many children awaiting adoption, taken by Chuck Pelletier Images of Lewiston.