Elishea, born in 1991, is a teenager who loves to laugh and have fun. She describes herself as a country girl and doesn’t want to live in the city.

Elishea loves to listen to country music and do arts and crafts. She’s also good at drawing and writing stories. Her favorite color is green, she loves animals and has a goal of being a veterinary assistant.

This young lady is a good advocate for herself. She is able to say what she thinks is helpful to her and what isn’t. Personable and direct, she likes to talk and have open conversations.

Elishea has experienced abuse and neglect, and as a result struggles in making and maintaining friendships. She is very outgoing and talkative, but doesn’t always pick up on other people’s social cues. She often needs help understanding healthy boundaries. Elishea has spent a great deal of time in residential settings and would very much like to settle into a permanent family.

She needs to remain in contact with her two younger sisters and their adoptive parents. She also is learning more about her birth family and would like for her adoptive family to support her in this pursuit.

She would do best in a home where she could receive a great deal of one-on-one attention. Elishea’s family will need to be understanding of the impact of childhood trauma and be experienced with teens. She needs a family who is committed to her and will be there for her even when times are hard. She needs a family to help her achieve her potential and be patient with her as she struggles with the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.

An adoption subsidy is available for the most appropriate family. Elishea is one of 147 children in Maine Department of Health and Human Services 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 information about foster or adoptive parenting or children available for adoption, contact A Family for ME toll free at 877-505-0545 or visit www.AFamilyForMe.org and see photographs of children awaiting a “forever family.”