Ethan (13 years old, male), Athena (11 years old, female), Ian (15 years, male) & Matt (14 years, male)

These four children are living with one of my favorite foster parents of all time! She is a tiny spitfire of a lady who runs a tight ship but does so very lovingly. She has introduced all the kids in her home to equine therapy and has created a family for them that they've never known before now. This is the third year that Brunch With A Purpose has sponsored this family. Her husband lost his job last year and hasn't been able to find work. Christmas is a really hard time for most children in foster care-- especially older children. Each of these children have had at least 2 failed adoptions (meaning a family takes them into their home, adopts them, then changes their mind and gives them back to the system). The foster parents spend so much energy keeping everyone somewhat stable during the holidays (a very hard time for kids in foster care) that managing all the shopping, wrapping, etc., can be almost impossible-- especially when you consider that the gifts that older children want are super-expensive. When I asked for their wish lists, their foster mother only gave me one item each. I pushed her to add more to the list because there are a lot of us helping and she said, "well ok, but please know I'm grateful for any one thing and there is no pressure to get all of this stuff!" So know that it's on this list because I had to make her :) take the help.

Ethan and Athena are siblings and are in foster care. They came into the system years ago due to physical abuse, severe neglect, and substance abuse. They have been apart for the past 4 years but have recently gotten to live together in the same foster home. They're currently up for adoption.

Ian has been in the system since he was 3 and has had multiple placements (over 7) before landing in his current foster home (where he's been for 5 years). He, too, has had more than one failed adoption and is no longer looking for an adoptive family. He will emancipate* from foster care.  (*Thanks for this catch, Dad. Emancipation is the term used for when a child ages out of foster care. He'll stay with his current foster mom until he reaches age 18, possibly a little later. The Colorado statute says a child's case "shall" be open until he/she reaches age 21 but typically kids are closer to age 18.) 

Matt has been in foster care for years and he, too, has had 2 or 3 failed adoptions. He was born into neglect with alcohol and drug using parents in addition to a very low-functioning mom. He, too, will emancipate from foster care and is no longer looking for an adoptive home.

Ethan's Wish List:

nerf guns

mp3 player

legos for an older child

socks

gloves

pants (size 12)

shoes (size 5)

shirts (size 14) 

snow boots

Athena's Wish List:

Our Generation dark haired doll 

crafts for holiday break: scrapbooking set

any art supplies: Project Runway and Sketch Portfolio

jeans (size 12 slim)

other long pants (size 12 slim)

long-sleeve shirts (size 14)

shoes (size 4)

snow shoes

snow boots

mp3 player

gloves

socks

Ian's Wish List:

Nintendo DS game Nintendogs

Nintendo DS game Animal Crossings

Nintendo DS game Mario

gloves

jeans or other pants (size 31waist x 30length)

shirts (size men's medium)

shoes (size 11)

snow boots

snow shoes

socks

book: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Presents Earth (the Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race by Jon Stewart

book: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

book: The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Matt's Wish List:

Nintendo DS or DSI

jeans or other pants (size 14)

shoes size 7

snow shoes

snow boots

shirts (size men's small)

gloves

socks

nerf guns

legos for older child

For the Foster Family: so these boys are very active and constantly play.  They're rough on their toys because they are teenage boys.  They go through their gear and need replacements every year. Also, it is extremely expensive for them to go anywhere with a car full of teenagers (the foster mom also has her own bio and adopted children who are not on this list).  So, it would be great if we could get them gift certificates for things they're not usually able to do!

basketball

football

soccer ball

snow shoes (listed above)

gift certificate to Sports Authority

movie tickets

gift certificate to restaurants

game: Sodoku