LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — Fourteen-year-old Natalie is an incredible young woman dreaming of parents who will love her forever.
She hopes 2020 is more than her first year of high school. She hopes it is also the year she can say, “I found my family.”
On a perfect day, there is nothing better than spending it with Natalie. The sweet, kind and respectful teen is just as sweet as a scoop of ice cream at Poppy’s Ice Cream & Coffee House in Lee’s Summit. She picked cotton candy.
Natalie enjoys cotton candy ice cream while talking to Sherae about her hopes and dreams at Poppy’s Ice Cream & Coffee House in Lee’s Summit. Photography by Rebecca Lassiter Photography. 
Natalie and Sherae cheers over their sweet treats at Poppy’s Ice Cream & Coffee House in Lee’s Summit. Photography by Rebecca Lassiter Photography.
Natalie wants something in life that many kids have — a family. Having that would mean a never ending source of love and kindness.
“What I hope is I have a loving family that will love me forever, and that I will never be split apart from them,” Natalie said.
She is nearly 15-years-old. She loves to draw, learn and write. Her favorite animal is a wolf because she loves the way they look and howl. Natalie likes to play outside and imagine. She is happiest when she is playing outside with her friends, and she enjoys school. Science is her favorite subject.
Her ideal family would have parents, a few siblings, and she would love to live on a farm if possible. She likes chickens, horses and cows. Natalie enjoys being able to care for them.
“It feels good. It feels like you’re getting the job done,” Natalie said.
When she grows up, she wants to be a veterinarian, where she can care for all kinds of animals. She wants to make sure they are in good health and are taken care of by their parents.
Natalie said she knows she only has a few years left before she’s an adult, but these next three years are important.
“They can be there when I get a car and a job,” Natalie said. “Maybe they can help me through the process.”
Natalie believes in her heart there is a family out there for her, and she can’t wait to meet them.
“Wherever they are, whatever family is going to adopt me soon — I love them to the moon and back. Maybe to a million trillion galaxies beyond and back,” Natalie said.
She hopes that, with their help, she will soar.
Want to adopt her?
If you’re interested in learning more about how to adopt Natalie, please get in touch with Megan Fisher, the Adoption Coordinator for Jackson County at 816-889-2144.
Interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent in Missouri?
- Cornerstones of Care specializes in Standard and Career Foster Licenses at 1-855-SRV-KIDS (855-778-5437) or visit their website.
- Crittenton Children’s Center (Saint Lukes) focuses on medical homes, homes that can accommodate sibling groups, and homes for older youth (age 12 and up).
- If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Virginia Fatseas at (816) 986-5209
- Missouri Alliance offers elevated needs training (Level A & B) to our Resource Families. They also train our foster parents in TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) as well as SOS (Signs of Safety).
- If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Karie Scott-Roark email: KRoark@MA-CF.org.
- Great Circle Behavioral Health for Children & Families does foster care licensing for prospective foster parents.
- If you are interested in learning more about this organization please reach out to Jaqueline Brown at (816) 255-1503 or Jacqueline.Brown@greatcircle.org
Interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent in Kansas?
- KVC Kansas
- To become an adoptive parent you can find more information by calling (888) 655-5500.
- To become a foster parent you can sign up for a class or learn more through their website.
- Cornerstones of Care
- To become an adoptive or foster parent you can contact Denise Gibson at (913) 209-5923 or email her at denise.gibson@cornerstonesofcare.org.
Want to see more children who are looking for a family?
Want to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children in the metro?
According to CASA’s website, a court appointed special advocate make a life-changing different for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Each volunteer is appointed by a judge to advocate for a child’s best interest in court.
Their volunteers help judges develop a fuller picture of each child’s life. Their advocacy enables judges to make the most well-informed decision for each child.
Missouri
- Jackson County CASA
- Clay County CASA: To volunteer with Clay County CASA, contact the Program Director, Ashley Zugelter, at 816-736-8400 or email ashley.zugelter@courts.mo.gov.
- CASA of Lafayette & Saline Counties: To volunteer with 15th Judicial Circuit CASA, contact the Executive Director, Robin McGinnity Connelly, at 660-259-2590 or email casarobin@yahoo.com. You can also visit their Facebook page.
Kansas
- CASA of Wyandotte & Johnson Counties
- CASA of Atchison & Leavenworth Counties: To volunteer contact the Executive Director, Kelly Meyer, at (913) 651-6440 or email her at Lv1casa@sbcglobal.net.
- Douglas County CASA: To volunteer contact the Executive Director, Diana Frederick, at (785) 832-5172 or email her at dfrederick@douglas-county.com.
Want to reach out to Sherae?
For business inquiries or questions that are unable to be answered through this article, you can reach out to Sherae Honeycutt, the host of Thursday’s Child, by email at sherae.honeycutt@fox4kc.com.
