JULY'S CHILD Alysha, age 11 Every child deserves a place to call home and the outpouring of love that is the foundation of a healthy parent-child relationship. However, there are nearly 10,000 Massachusetts children and teens in foster or other substitute care who have suffered abuse, neglect, abandonment, and betrayal at a time in their lives when they needed to be cared for most. So many of these valiant survivors, entrusted to the care of the state, wait endlessly for that special person or family to come forward. For far too many, the day never comes. While becoming a foster or adoptive parent certainly comes with challenges, the rewards of parenting such a child are tremendous. Bay State Parent hopes you will give pause to the following profile and consider how you can help. Alysha is an inquisitive, talkative, and outgoing young lady, who is "happy most of the time." She has been in her current foster home for a year, and gets along well with her foster parents. She would like to remain in this home permanently; however, the foster family is retirees and is not in a position to make that kind of commitment to her. Her favorite activities are going to dance class, playing with dolls, doing crafts, and playing school, where she is usually the teacher. She took tap dance lessons this past year, and would like to take jazz classes next year. Alysha likes to watch Hannah Montana on television, play with her PlayStation, and GameBoy, and likes the games she can sing into. Initially, she was a picky eater, but now likes a variety of foods - pot roast, mashed potatoes, pork chops, etc. She also likes to make grilled cheese sandwiches. She loves school, and will be going into the sixth grade. Alysha does fine academically, although she can be stubborn about bringing homework home. Her favorite subjects are math and gym. Alysha has many friends in school, and gets along with teachers and peers alike. She is looking forward to going to camp this summer. She has a visiting resource that she sees on a monthly basis, she looks forward to these visits. Alysha has been in the care of the Massachusetts' Department of Social Services for two years, and is now legally free to be adopted. She would probably do well in a two-parent, traditional family. Alysha would like to be in a family who has only girls, or one girl around her age that she can play with. She loves animals, especially dogs, and wants a house in a rural setting. Alysha has regular contact with her older sister, and it's important to her to find a family that can maintain this relationship. If you think you can provide Alysha with the love, consistency, and structure she needs and would like more information about her, or you would like general information about adoption and/or foster care, please call Barbara Ford at the Massachusetts Department of Social Services office at 508-929-2143.