17-Year-Old Aging Out Of Foster Care Makes Plea For A Family

During a dream visit with military personnel, the teen begs for a family to adopt him before he turns 18

A 17-year-old boy who hopes to one day serve his country in the military has one other big wish — to have a family to call his own. Haven, who lives in an Oklahoma shelter with four other kids, turns 18 this fall. By then, he wants more than anything to be adopted and have parents to help guide him through life.

According to Fox 61, Haven has big plans for his future. “I’m involved with Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, AKA JROTC,” he explains. Haven wants to join the military and when asked the reasons why, he replies, “Being a part of something bigger than myself and to serve my country.”

He also wants a family.

Because of his interest in one day joining the military, Haven was with members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, touring their facility and learning more about what it’s like to join the service.

As he made the rounds, a reporter asks Haven to elaborate on his adoption wish and why having a family matters to him. “So you can have someone to help you, like be there for you if you need help. Not just going into it all blind because that’s how you get into drugs and bad stuff like that,” he says.

When asked what kind of family he hopes to become a part of, he replied, “Anyone that would take me.”

Anyone that would take me.

Is your entire heart shattered into 12 million pieces now? Mine sure is. This sweet boy wants parents to love him and guide him. He’s been in DHS custody since he was 12 years old.

Of his life at the shelter, Haven says, “It gets old at times. Just being there. Not being able to go out whenever I want.” He wants his driver’s license. He wants to see the world. “I’d probably like to travel the world, but the Army probably helps with that,” he explains. The teen, in addition to his military dreams, enjoys playing Minecraft and hanging out with his friends.

But above all, he wants a family. “I don’t really care. As long as it’s a family that will show love for me and be there for me,” he pleads.

No word on whether Haven’s request to be part of a family of his own has been met, but here’s the info on Oklahoma’s DHS site if you think you’re a possible fit to adopt Haven and give him the family he and every child so richly deserves.