Julia, 13, is an affectionate girl who enjoys arts and crafts and spending time with her friends.

Julia is interested in the same things all teenage girls are interested in: talking, shopping and listening to music.

Julia is quite creative and artistic. She especially likes to knit and scrapbook, but enjoys most arts and crafts projects. Julia likes to go shopping and will usually buy clothes when she goes to the mall. Her favorite color is pink.

Due to some of her life experiences Julia is behind in school, but she makes up for that by working very hard and having the desire to succeed. Because of her determination Julia was able to skip to a grade that was more age appropriate for her.

She receives special education support to help her continue to catch up to her peers. She has a strong desire to go to college and become a caseworker.

The best family for Julia would be one that can be supportive to her as she learns how to have healthy relationships and grieves all the losses she has experienced.

A family would need to show Julia that they can provide structure and follow-through and make sure Julia knows that members will always be there for her.

Julia enjoys younger children and animals, but would also do well as an only child.

Julia has a grandmother and sister whom she sees regularly, and she would expect this to continue in an adoptive family.

An adoption subsidy may be available to the most appropriate family.

Julia is one of the 153 children in the care of the state Department of Health and Human Services who are seeking an adoptive family.

Based in Gardiner, A Family for ME is a nonprofit program that works in collaboration with DHHS to find foster and adoptive families for Maine children in care.

For more information about Allyssa or other children available for adoption, please contact A Family for ME toll free at (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.