Forever Families: Creative teen still waiting for supportive family
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
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."
At only 13-years-old he knows he needs a dependable family to help him reach his full potential.
"That's what I'm looking for in a mom and a dad, somebody I can tell stuff to and that will be there for me, and when something bad goes they won't just ditch me and leave me out there to dry," the teen said.
It's a feeling of rejection many foster children feel all too often, but Jaylen is determined to stay positive.
"I want a chance to show people that I can be a great brother, I can be a great son," he said.
If you'd like to know more about Jaylen, please contact the Adoption Coalition of Texas at info@adopttexas.org