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NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fourteen-year-old Tyler is ready to stop moving. He’s ready to all the things a teenage boy does with his family like learning to cook, take care of himself, drive, and graduate from high school. Most of all — he’s ready to meet his parents.

Chicken & Pickle is the perfect place to get to know Tyler better. Full of fun yard games, pickleball, and good food. 

Tyler enjoying “Giant Jenga” at Chicken & Pickle (Photo: Rebecca Lassiter Photography)

He’s a sweet kid in his freshman year of high school. He likes most things you would expect a teenage boy to enjoy. He plays video games, he loves to draw, and watches YouTube. He hopes to combine a lot of the things he enjoys into his future.

“I want to try to get a bachelor’s in either artistic stuff, or I want to work with computers, or make video games or whatever — I want to try to do that,” Tyler said.

Photo: Rebecca Lassiter Photography

Tyler says he really enjoys playing video games because they get his mind off the difficult things kids with families don’t have to worry about like being alone, and when will he have to move again.

He likes to joke and laugh, but Tyler can be shy too. He’s been in and out of foster care since he was young. He says in his 14 years he’s probably lived with 17 families. He says it’s been hard.

“It’s fine I guess, but it gets old,” Tyler said.

He’s moving toward beccoming a man and wants someone there to guide him through it. He would ideally like two parents, he’s open to siblings, and he’s definitely a dog person. He loves Huskies and German Shepherds. 

“I need somebody that loves me, and that cares, because these years are crucial, and I need someone to be there,” Tyler said.

He needs parents to show him what a family is like, and how to become independent. Tyler says more than anything he wants stability, consistency, and love.

“Not having to worry about switching schools or when do I have to go to a new home or moving every year. It would be nice to not do that anymore,” Tyler said. “I’m a good kid, and I need a family.”

Photo: Rebecca Lassiter Photography

Want to adopt him?

If you’re interested in learning more about how to adopt Natalie, please get in touch with Megan Fisher, the Adoption Coordinator for Jackson County at 816-889-2144.

Interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent in Missouri?

  • Cornerstones of Care specializes in Standard and Career Foster Licenses at  1-855-SRV-KIDS (855-778-5437) or visit its website.
  • Crittenton Children’s Center (Saint Lukes) focuses on medical homes, homes that can accommodate sibling groups, and homes for older youth (age 12 and up).
  • If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Virginia Fatseas at (816) 986-5209
  • Missouri Alliance offers elevated needs training (Level A & B) to our Resource Families.  They also train our foster parents in TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) as well as SOS (Signs of Safety).
  • If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Karie Scott-Roark email: KRoark@MA-CF.org.
  • Great Circle Behavioral Health for Children & Families does foster care licensing for prospective foster parents.
  • If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Jaqueline Brown at (816) 255-1503 or Jacqueline.Brown@greatcircle.org

Interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent in Kansas?

Want to see more children who are looking for a family?

Want to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children in the metro?

According to CASA’s website, a court appointed special advocate make a life-changing different for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Each volunteer is appointed by a judge to advocate for a child’s best interest in court.

Its volunteers help judges develop a fuller picture of each child’s life. Their advocacy enables judges to make the most well-informed decision for each child.

Missouri

Kansas

Want to reach out to Sherae?

For business inquiries or questions that are unable to be answered through this article, you can reach out to Sherae Honeycutt, the host of Thursday’s Child, by email at sherae.honeycutt@fox4kc.com.