Haven, 17, from Oklahoma City, told KFOR he is losing hope that he'll find adoptive parents before he turns 18 in October and ages out of the US foster care system. Photo / KFOR
Haven, 17, from Oklahoma City, told KFOR he is losing hope that he'll find adoptive parents before he turns 18 in October and ages out of the US foster care system. Photo / KFOR
A 17-year-old boy from Oklahoma City who has spent the last five years in foster care is desperately seeking a family to call his own, but time is running out.
In October, Haven will turn 18 and age out of the US system, being left to fend for himself ifhe isn't adopted before then.
When asked what kind of family he is looking for, he said: "Anyone that would take me."
"I don't really care," he added, "as long as it's a family that will show love for me and be there for me."
Haven, 17, from Oklahoma City, told KFOR he is losing hope that he'll find adoptive parents before he turns 18 in October and ages out of the US foster care system. Photo / KFOR
"It gets old at times," he said of being in the shelter, where he lives with four other children.
"Just being there. Not being able to go out whenever I want."
Like many teenage boys, Haven enjoys video games like Minecraft and hanging out with friends.
His ambition is to join the military, as it would involve "being a part of something bigger than myself and serving my country."
"I'm involved with Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, AKA JROTC," he told KFOR.
Haven is also eager for more independence.
"I'd probably like to travel the world with the army," the teen said.
Haven told KFOR that he feels numb and is losing hope that he'll find a family to support him as he reaches adulthood. Photo / KFOR
The teen has been in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services since he was 12 years old. Photo / KFOR
"Getting a driver's licence would be a first step in making him feel more confident and independent," he said.
On Haven's profile in the Oklahoma Heart Gallery, an organisation that helps recruit adoptive families for waiting children, the boy posted the message: "please adopt me – I'm pretty cool."
The page says Haven is "very talented at electronics, and enjoys being on YouTube and making his own videos and games."
In a sweet video profile, Haven says he is "a nice person" and "fun to be around."
The teen says he likes to live in the city "because there's a lot to do, explore, get a little lost to have an adventure."
A GoFundMe page, entitled "Help Haven Get On His Feet" has so far raised more than $21,600.
The creator of the page wrote: "My hope is that someone in Oklahoma City takes him up on this request, but in the event that doesn't happen, he'll need money to assimilate into adult life."
On any given day in Oklahoma, over 500 children are waiting to be adopted, according to the Oklahoma Heart Gallery.
