Ricky, 16, has a bright and engaging smile. He has been in foster care since 1995. Currently, his biggest wish is to be matched with a family on whom he can rely throughout his life.

Ricky may require assistance to live independently as an adult, and he longs for and would benefit greatly from a family who is willing to make a lifelong commitment to him.

Ricky has many interests. He is extremely fond of history and says that he loves to engage in debates with his teachers about politics and historical events. He has a knack for science and history, and they are his favorite subjects in school.

He enjoys listening to audio books on topics such as science fiction and history. Ricky has a fascination with the Russian language and the geography of that region and he hopes to learn to speak Russian someday.

Ricky loves to watch the old “The Dukes of Hazzard” television shows. He owns a boxed DVD series of this show, and he is animated when he describes the characters and themes in the show.

Ricky also is a NASCAR fan. His favorite driver is No. 8, Dale Earnhardt Jr. He has posters of race cars in his room, including a large drawing he did of the General Lee car from “The Dukes of Hazzard.”

Ricky enjoys cooking, especially spaghetti and meatballs and boiled dinner.

This teenager has worked hard to develop successful strategies to manage change and transitions. He has demonstrated improved confidence and ability to be flexible. Ricky will greatly benefit from a family that has experience providing consistent structure and guidance and that has flexibility in their daily routine to be actively involved in his progress and successes.

An adoption subsidy is available for the appropriate family. Ricky is one of the 161 children currently in the Maine Department of Health & Human Service’s care who are seeking an adoptive family.

Based in Gardiner, A Family for ME is a nonprofit program that works in collaboration with Maine DHHS to find foster and adoptive families for Maine children in care. For more information about Ricky or other children available for adoption, please contact A Family for ME toll free at 1-877-505-0545 or visit www.AFamilyForMe.org and see the Heart Gallery of photographs of some of the many children awaiting a “forever family.”