Meet Audriana
An artsy teen who longs for a family
13-year-old Audriana has experienced a lot of upheaval in her short life. She’s spent almost six years in foster care.
“I would love honesty and an open relationship,” Audriana says as she talks about what she desires most in a forever family.
If you ask her about her interests, her face lights up when she gets on the topic of art.
“I really like to sketch people,” she says. “I kind of got inspired by — it’s kind of weird — but Bob Ross.” Bob Ross is the TV personality who would paint scenes in nature live on the air. He’s known for his “happy trees” and “happy clouds.” Audriana says, “When I was younger, I would watch him and think, ‘Maybe I can do that.’”
As an eighth grader, this young woman is already looking ahead to high school where she can’t wait to try some new things.
“I’m planning to run track,” she says with a smile. When asked if she’s fast, she doesn’t hesitate, “Yes!”
She’s also hoping to once again play an instrument. “When I was in 5th grade, I played the violin, so I would love to do that again in high school.”
While she’s still too young to have a vision for her future goals, she is thinking about attending cosmetology school one day.
“I’d like to work creatively and help others feel good about themselves too,” she says.
Erin Zimmer has walked alongside Audriana as her Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). She’s come to know this young woman as a curious, intelligent and creative teen. “She also likes to express herself with clothes and enjoys following fashion trends as she enters her teen years,” Erin says.
Watching Audriana work through several foster homes and failed placements, Erin would love for her to find that family who is willing to work with her, love her and provide some stability.
“She’s attended many schools and hopes to stay in one high school without interruption,” Erin says. “She’d love to be a part of a family that prioritizes honesty and kindness. She wants to be a part of a safe home with both fun and laughter.”
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AUDRIANA or the foster-adoption system in general, call Danielle Metcalf at 406-657-3120. While Audriana needs an adoptive home, many times the primary goal for children in the system is to have a temporary placement while social workers strive to reunify them with their biological family. Each family wanting to become licensed foster-adoptive home must undergo 18 hours of mandatory training to learn what it takes to become a successful foster family.
