Teen seeks to 'build' relationship with permanent family

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Texas is in desperate need of families willing to foster and adopt older children. Throughout the Houston area, there are 1,800 children available for adoption right now, including Ace, a child profiled on FOX 26 News for the month of July.

At 13 years old, Ace is a natural when it comes to building.  The Children’s Museum of Houston gave him the chance to develop his passion by making scribble bots and using a 3D printer.

“I like to draw and I also like to play with Legos," said Ace. "I like to build things I see on TV like in Star Wars.” 

Ace is hoping to find a permanent family to keep on encouraging him. 

“He is a child who has unfortunately been in foster care for the majority of his life, since about age two, so for about 11 years,” said Atasha Kelley-Harris, program manager of adoption and post adoption at DePelchin Children’s Center. He’d  prefer a family who is active and outgoing.

“A couple who is preferably in their 30s or 40s, a two-parent home so he can have a positive male role model," added Harris. "There is support to families open to adopting older children.”

That support from the state includes health care and college tuition. Ace wants his future family to know he’s serious about going to college.   

“I would like them to know that I really want to grow up to be something big,” said Ace.

If you’re interested in adopting Ace or any other child, you can start the process by contacting the DePelchin Children’s Center by e-mail at info@depelchin.org.