COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. -- At 16-years-old, Charles is still hopeful he will be adopted before he ages out of the Michigan foster care system at 18, losing the chance to be legally adopted.
Tuesday he smiled into the wind, driving a go-kart at AJ's Family Fun Center enjoying his time just to be a kid. This just after he shot a hole-in-one his first time playing mini-golf, and on the first hole.
“I just get up every day and thank God for waking me up," said Charles. "That brings motivation to you.”
Charles is motivated to make a difference. Although he enjoys what things a typical teen would, like talking on the phone, camping, fishing, playing video games and watching movies, he says he often helps others out.
“When I was younger I felt lonely," said Charles. "I had no family, I felt lonely, so I’m trying to change that for the world so other people don’t feel lonely.”
Charles says he likes to include people when he hangs out, and helps his peers going through tough times.
"I tell them just chill out, think of the real world situation," Charles explained. "So that’s when they calm down, and think about it more, think of the bigger picture.”
He's heading into his junior year in high school and is naturally good in math. Charles likes playing sports like football, baseball and lacrosse. He's hopeful to attend either Michigan State University or Oakland University to follow one of his dreams.
"So I can tell you five of them: I want to be a pediatrician, a lawyer, a doctor, and I want to be a game designer, and a shoe maker," he said.
But to get there, Charles says he wants guidance; he wants parents to set rules, and to love him.
“I know where a family can help me," said Charles, "by teaching me how to be a real responsible man. I just need a nice caring family that really cares about their kids.”
To learn more about adopting Charles, and the adoption process itself, call his agency, Orchards Children's Services at: 1 (855) 694-7301.
