Wednesday’s Child: Susan, 18, wants a family to love, guide her through life
Jan 4, 2023, 12:15 PM | Updated: 12:33 pm
PROVO, Utah — At The GemStudio in Provo, you’ll find beautiful stones in all shapes and sizes. You’ll also find a welcoming environment to create and refine custom jewelry. For 18-year-old Susan, spending time at The GemStudio captures a moment in time.
“This bonding time, I’ll remember it was put into this ring,” Susan said.
Susan is a senior in high school, and being creative is something she’s passionate about. She loves art that is hands-on.
“I like paint, drawing and sketching,” she said.
“Susan is really great at art, especially painting,” said Jaynie Palmer, Susan’s youth connections advocate at Raise the Future. “She is very creative and has learned to express her feelings through art.”
Art in all forms is an escape for Susan, who entered foster care three and a half years ago.
“My whole life, parents say, ‘Don’t talk to strangers.’ I lived with strangers,” Susan said.
While her journey to foster care was a painful one, Susan said she’s found hope and stability in state custody.
“When you go into foster care, it’s an opportunity to build a family. It’s an opportunity to get help. It’s an opportunity to feel loved by the ones who actually care,” she said.
“Susan is also very caring and is commonly found coming up with ways to serve others or do something nice for them,” Palmer said. “Susan is always up for trying something new, which I love about her.”
Right now, Susan is in a loving and stable foster home, but she needs more moving forward in life.
“I need a person,” she said. “I need someone to be there to support me in the moment. I need someone to give me a hug when I’m sad, to tell me that ‘we love you.'”
“Susan wants to be adopted so bad. Even though she is an adult, she would like to have an adult adoption,” Palmer said. “Susan is an active member of the LDS faith, which is important to her.”
Susan will graduate in May and then head off to college, where she plans on studying sign language and art therapy.
“I want to go to school so I can learn and help and teach others,” she said.
But before she goes, she’s hoping to build a family connection that will be there to love, guide and support her throughout her life.
“I need someone there to continually remind me that I do deserve more than what I think I do.”
To learn more about Susan, visit her Raise the Future profile, or contact Raise the Future at 801-265-0444.
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