WEDNESDAY'S CHILD

Wednesday’s Child: 17-year-old Arielle wants a fresh start away the foster care system

Jan 22, 2025, 1:02 PM | Updated: 1:08 pm

SALT LAKE CITY – At Chaltu’s Hair Salon a deep wash is the first step towards a fresh start, and a fresh start is what 17-year-old Arielle needs right now.

“I’ve been through so much in Utah,” she said.

Arielle has lived in foster care for nearly ten years, and during that time she’s been moved from home to home.

“Foster care has been very, very crappy for me, and his hasn’t done me any benefits. If anything, it just makes me more sad than I usually am,” Arielle said.

Arielle speaking about her experience in the foster care system while her hair his being washed.

Arielle speaking about her experience in the foster care system while her hair his being washed. (KSL TV)

Arielle first entered foster care with her younger brother, but now the two are living in separate placements. Arielle considers her brother her best friend.

“I love my brother; he’s like my number one supporter and I’m his number one supporter. Whenever were going through hard times we always kind of tell each other that everything is going to be okay, and that we may be going through hard situations, but we’ll get through it,” said Arielle.

Arielle and CJ were first featured in a Wednesday’s Child segment in 2019 during a visit to Gardner Village. At the time Arielle was 11 years old and interested in learning to ride a horse. Then in 2021 she was featured again at the age of 13.

“I want to go to Paris someday, and see the pointy thing,” she said at the time.

13-year old Arielle showed off some of her moves at Kickin’it Dance Company in Sandy in 2021. (KSL TV)

Arielle still dreams of traveling the world, but right now she’s focused on finishing school. She likes the idea of studying cosmetology and seeing where that could take her.

“I turn 18 this year, I become a senior in high school, so that’s exciting,” she said.

Arielle is also focused on finding permanent housing. She worries about aging out of the foster care system and having to navigate being an adult on her own.

“I think that I need a loving home that will take care of me and help me though all my hard times that I’m going through, and stuff like that,” she said.

Arielle has been through a lot in her young life, and she needs a family that will show her compassion.

“I am very fragile, and I need someone to really, deeply genuinely care about me,” she said.

Arielle has been close to a permanent placement once before only to be let down. When asked how she would like a family to get to know her better, she says she wants them to spend time with her and ask her questions.

“Sometimes I watch wrestling, that’s my favorite thing to watch actually,” she said. “I love the color red, red is my favorite color, red and pink are my favorite, but I prefer red.”

Despite a difficult childhood filled with uncertainty, one thing Arielle is certain about is starting over. She hopes by opening up one more time, someone will open their home to her.

“I need a good loving family to call my own, and to go home to and be happy with every day,” she said.

To learn more about Arielle please contact Raise the Future at 801-265-0444.

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Wednesday’s Child: 17-year-old Arielle wants a fresh start away the foster care system