Finding a forever home for Jacob

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The holidays are an especially difficult time for children in the foster system -- and though 16-year-old Jacob has been in the foster system for five years, he's still extremely optimistic.
But at 16, he knows he's short on time to find the right family before he ages out of the foster system.
“Somebody that loves me, talks to me, that actually cares, won’t leave me,” Jacob asks of his potential family.
Even as a teenager standing at more than six feet tall, Jacob is still a child on the inside, searching for the love of a family.
“I’ve been waiting for a long time,” he says.
In the system since 2009, Jacob thrives playing sports and has aspirations of becoming a veterinarian.
“I like animals, I volunteer for the Human Society right now every Thursday,” he says.
Jacob hopes to attend Michigan State University -- and has been awarded a scholarship to pay for it.
“Now when I turn 18 my college is paid for,” he says. “I keep myself motivated.”
Jacob says he gets lonely, yearning for a mom.
“To comfort me, to make sure I’m doing what I need to do,”he says.
Jacob says he’d also love siblings, young and old.
“To teach them to do the right thing,” He says.
He's a perfect addition to any family willing to open their homes and their hearts to him.
“I’m good with family members and i show respect,” he says “I’m just looking to be adopted.”
Adopting any child through the Michigan Foster System comes at absolutely no cost.
If you’re interested in adopting Jacob or any other youth from the Michigan Foster System, call Orchards Children’s Services at 855-694-7301.