Wednesday's Child: 8-Year-Old Julyzia

Julyzia, or Juju, as she likes to be called, is a caring and affectionate 8-year-old girl of African American/Caucasian descent who loves being a helper. People who know her well describe her as funny, smart and creative. For fun, she loves to play outside, ride her bicycle and do arts and crafts. She'll even make cards for others as a surprise! Julyzia is happiest when she is playing "Just Dance" and "Mario Cart."

Julyzia currently lives in a residential home and can struggle with the day–to-day routine, especially at night and during transitions. In school, she is making good progress with special education services. Her social worker hopes to find a supportive two-parent family with a mom and dad or two moms with either no children or older children. Julyzia has been affected by a challenging history and would benefit from consistent structure and expectations provided in a nurturing manner.

Legally freed for adoption, Julyzia will need continued contact with members of her birth family. She is close to a 9-year-old sister also in foster care, and they could either be placed in separate homes or possibly together in a skilled, experienced family. She also has two other half siblings placed in a preadoptive home. Once Julyzia has been matched with a family, there will need to be six visits a year with her birth parents until placement in the adoptive home, and then three visits a year post placement.

For more information you can contact MARE: 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.mareinc.org.

Since its inception in 1981, Wednesday's Child has been a collaboration of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), the Department of Children & Families and WBZ-TV/CBS Boston. Hosted by Jack Williams for the last 34 years, this weekly series has given a face and voice to the children who wait the longest for families. Wednesday's Child has helped find homes for hundreds of waiting children and continues to raise awareness about adoption from foster care.