Tessa

Like all of us, our friend Tessa is a wonderful work in progress. On one hand, she is a typical teen. She loves her friends and enjoys going to dances and dabbling on her art projects. She also loves going to church and singing in the choir (we hear she has the voice of an angel!). Something’s that unique about Tessa is her connection with Junior ROTC – she really enjoys it and thrives in the program. On the other hand, she is also a typical teen in foster care. She needs extra attention and time from her caregivers, and she can test your patience with the best of them. Most times, she is really sweet and super helpful, but when she’s asked to do things she doesn’t want to do, she acts helpless and just kind of shuts down. She’s a great conversationalist, but she struggles sometimes with really meaningful conversations. And she can be a bit naïve and doesn’t always grasp that not everyone has her best interests at heart. All these behaviors are expected for a teen in her circumstances, and they will all improve with time, support, and consistency. Tessa is at a great spot in her development. You have the perfect opportunity to help guide and mold her into the amazing young woman she was meant to be. She’s ready, but she will need your help. Tessa will do best in a two-parent home with a family committed to give her the time and the space to work through her emotions. The payoff will be tremendous – Tessa is a talented and hopeful young lady, and she’s ready to meet her forever family.

Age: 15