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Finding Santavious his Forever Home

Posted at 6:01 PM, Dec 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-13 18:01:25-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- As FOX 17 continues its Forever Home series, we introduce you to Santavious, 11, a sixth grader whose kindness and curiosity is infectious.

Santavious has waited for more than two years to be adopted and find his forever family, though he says he is one step closer to his dream job of becoming a bus driver.

Tuesday officials with The Rapid gave him a detailed tour of Central Station in Grand Rapids: Santavious was all smiles, totally engaged and asking questions, fascinated and knowledgeable.

“I didn’t know until the age of eight and I was like, ‘I want to be a bus driver,’ and I just was so excited that I wanted to have my dreams be met," said Santavious.

Walking alongside Jeff Azzoli, fleet manager with The Rapid, Santavious took a keen interest in bus design to their maintenance.

“I’m just really excited that I’m working really hard on doing like the things I’ve been achieving," said Santavious. "I’ve been wanting to be a bus driver for a long time.”

In school he says he loves math, but after school you'll find Santavious playing basketball, coloring, or helping people.

“I’m super athletic and just like to do fun things," said Santavious. “I’m super helpful around people and I [like doing] fun things.”

When it comes to his future forever family, Santavious pictures big friendly dogs, and loved ones to have fun with.

“I would picture like some bullmastiffs," said Santavious. “Being able to do basketball and those type of things, like being able to go to stores like being able to buy some new things, being able to be helpful, generous, kind.”

Truly a radiant boy well, Santavious is on his way toward a bright future.

If you would like to learn more about Santavious or adoption through foster care, please call his adoption agency Orchards Children's Services at: 1-(855)-694-7301.

Also, FOX 17 continues its partnership with Lutheran Adoption Service through next week to collect gifts for kids and teens living in foster care in Kent County. If you would like to donate a gift card or unwrapped gift (for kids ages 12 to 17), please drop it off at the Lutheran Social Services building downtown Grand Rapids at: 207 East Fulton Street. You may leave them with reception and mention FOX 17.

FOX 17 would like to send a special thank you to The Rapid for such a thorough, thoughtful tour Tuesday!