DALLAS — Wednesday’s Child 13-year-old Joshua loves to cook, fish, play tennis and listen to music. He’s not only unique, he’s also well on his way to becoming a great leader!
When WFAA asked Joshua to describe himself during a taping at Pinstack in Irving, the teen called himself curious, happy and funny.
When you meet him, you’ll notice he is also soft spoken and sweet. When asked about what he wants to give his future family, Joshua answered with one word: "Happiness.”
Joshua's caseworker shared a picture of Joshua from 2015 -- when he was just 5 years old. It's the year he first entered foster care. He had a big bright smile filled with so much love and hope.
Eight years later, Joshua has even more love to spread as he leans on his humble beginnings for strength. He told WFAA a story from his childhood that inspired him to become a chef one day.
"We went with my mom to Austin, and we fed all the homeless people, and we fed the police on the big grill,” he said. "It made me happy to serve.”
Today, he smiles in gratitude for the advocates working so hard to find him his forever family.
"He's very smart," David James said. "And I can see that he has some real leadership abilities."
James is Joshua's Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
"He has people that care about him right now, but he's gonna [sic] have a family at some point, and I know that's really something he wishes to have," said James.
He believes Joshua will become a great leader who will only be fueled by the love of a family.
"(One that) loves him for who he is and stands with him," said James.
Joshua is on a roll right now, making good decisions and praying loving parents adopt him. He turns 14 in November and does not want to spend another day in foster care. He wants to be adopted by a family who has structure and discipline, but also one who trusts him.
"I want a nice home with a roof over my head," he said.
Meantime, his CASA advocate reminds Joshua to never give up on finding his forever family – words of wisdom Joshua holds onto. He also holds onto the promise of hope from that little 5-year-old inside of him who still motivates him to keep smiling.
If you are interested in adopting Joshua, please call EMPOWER at (833) 7FOSTER and press *. You can also email wednesdayschild@3empower.org. Please remember to include Joshua's name within the subject line.