Alexis a delightful, friendly, engaging, energetic young man with a great sense of humor Born in 1993, he is well liked by adults and peers. He is creative and enjoys artwork. He loves shopping, attention from adults, video games and going out to eat. McDonalds is one of his favorite eateries. Alex loves to entertain, sing and one day hopes to be on “American Idol.”

He is social and carries on a conversation very well. While he is not a sports-type, he does like to play soccer, capture the flag, jump on a trampoline and is able to double-dutch jump rope.

Alex would like a family that would give him some free time before he has to do his homework. He would like a family with a dog and/or cat and an older sibling. He does not like camping in a tent, but would enjoy traveling in an RV or staying in a hotel.

Alex participates in therapy and has made great strides; and it is important that treatment continue in an adoptive home. He is a survivor who has experienced a tremendous amount of loss and instability in his young life, but continues to have the courage and desire to be adopted. He is positive about being adopted again and being part of a family.

The best family for Alex is one that would be structured. He is strong-willed and will do best with parents who can set clear and consistent fair rules and limits. Both single and two-parent families will be considered.

Tia describes herself as funny and smart

An amazing young woman, Tia was born in 1992 and would be a great addition to any family. She is active in her community, involved in sports, volunteers at a teen center in her town and enjoys school. She has beautiful red hair and a sweet smile.

She loves to run and plays basketball on her middle-school team. She is a member of her local YMCA and uses the membership often, especially during the winter months when it is often too cold to exercise outside.

Tia volunteers in a clothing store. She helps organize clothing as it is donated and says she likes to help out. Also in her spare time, she can be found at the mall with her friends, or just hanging out listening to rock, hip-hop, classic rock -she likes it all. However, unlike most teenagers, she does not enjoy watching TV and tunes in only a little each week.

Tia wants a family to know that she is a good kid. She likes to be active and enjoys being outside when the weather is warm. She is also honest about her struggles – she needs her sleep and gets “irritable” when she doesn’t get enough.

Alex and Tia are two of the 135 children currently in the Maine Department of Health and Human Service’s care who are seeking an adoptive family. Ninety-seven of those children have been waiting for permanency for more than a year.

There are 2,217 children in the state’s care and 1,212 licensed foster homes.

Based in Gardiner, A Family for ME is a nonprofit program that works with DHHS to find foster and adoptive families for Maine children.

For more information, contact A Family for ME toll free at 1-877-505-0545 or visit www.AFamilyForMe.org and see the Heart Gallery of photographs of children awaiting a “forever family,” taken by Chuck Pelletier Images of Lewiston.