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SALT LAKE CITY — Shaleen is an artistically minded teen, and an afternoon spent painting is just what she wanted to do.
"I feel like I'm creative and I can use that for greater things in life," said Shaleen. "I really like to draw and color and write stories."
Shaleen wants to use her sketching skills to become a fashion designer when she grows up.
So far though, the story of Shaleen's life is no fairy tale. She entered the foster care system in another state where she lived in group homes. Then a year ago, she moved here to Utah — a place she didn't know.
"I used to be behind in school and stuff but now I'm not," she said.
Shaleen takes her high school classes online now, and she'd like to return to public school soon, but only when she knows she'll be able to stay there.
Shaleen said the hardest part of living in foster care is all the moving.
"Last time it was on short notice that we were leaving and I only had a little bag of stuff," she said.
Shaleen longs for the time she can unpack her bag for good and finally just be home.
"It would feel to me more permanent and more stable," she said.
She would love to be in a home with siblings who she hopes would be good influences in her life.
Despite what she's been through, Shaleen still has hope and believes a family is waiting for her.
If you would like to learn more about Shaleen or the many other children living in the Utah Foster Care System hoping for adoption, contact The Adoption Exchange.
