Meet the Children

Each of the children on this page are legally free for adoption nationwide.

How to become a Foster Child Adoptive Parent

Choosing to become an adoptive parent is a big decision and the decision to adopt an older child has even more weight.  In order to ensure that the Children in Waiting are being placed in safe and secure homes, the State of Nebraska has required that every home become licensed in order to adopt a child from the foster care system. To learn more about this process click the “About Adoption” tab , or download the ” Foster Adoption Inquiry Packet”. You may also contact us at 402.504.3666 and/or fosteradoption@nebraskaheartgallery.org.

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Arianna and Jazlyn

CURRENT PERMANCY PLACEMENT IS BEING CONSIDERED. 

Ages 3 years and 18 months

Click picture to enlarge. 

Arianna is a wide-eyed nearly 3-year-old who is very interested in her surroundings and the people around her.  At first, she is very cautious of people unfamiliar to her and often shows great anxiety.  However, once she has the opportunity to warm-up to someone and feel comfortable, she is very loving and caring.  Arianna enjoys playing with age appropriate toys and watching videos.  She interacts well with others she is comfortable with and is always looking out for her younger sister, Jazlyn. 

Jazlyn has a smile that can melt your heart.  She is very curious and is constantly looking around to explore the world around her.  Jazlyn is very easy going and seems to be able to adapt to her surroundings fairly well.  Each day Jazlyn grows and learns more and more.  Although she was off to a slow start developmentally, she is making great achievements and strides.  Jazlyn is a warm and interactive child.  She has a strong bond to her sister Arianna and looks to her for guidance and understanding. 

Connections:

Current foster parents are interested in maintaining contact. 

Siblings:

• Arianna and Jazlyn must be adopted together. 

Disabilities:

Learning and emotional.

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Ariel, Jeronika, Jerrod, Armani, Isiah, AJ and Mary 

Ages 15, 14, 10, 9, 8,  6, and 4 years old

Photographed by Monte Evans

click picture to enlarge

Ariel is the oldest of 7 children and is a 15 year-old girl. She describes herself as quiet, respectful, funny and smart.  Ariel is very loving and the leader of the seven children. She loves being around her siblings as well as her friends. Ariel enjoys being creative, as she likes to draw, and give manicures and pedicures. Although Ariel has a talent for creativity, when she attends college she would like to become a nurse. Ariel helps out with her younger siblings and enjoys earning extra money by babysitting others.

Jeronika is the next oldest child in the sibling strip and is a girly-girl. She is a 14 year-old girl who loves listening to music, going to the movies, and talking on the phone. Jeronika would love to get a job soon to fund her own shopping habits. Jeronika is very independent but enjoys spending time in gospel choir, chorus, and hip-hop aerobics. Jeronika attends church weekly and states that this is a very important tradition for her. Jeronkia does speak with her father on the phone and is optimistic about the relationship and will want to continue this level of communication in her adoptive home. Jeronika would do well in a structured home.

Jerrod is an active 10 year old boy who loves seeing his other siblings when he can. Jerrod is very engaging when he is with his younger brothers and will spend most of his time goofing around with them.  Jerrod enjoys being outside riding his bike or going hiking.  He puts his love for the outdoors to good use and is helpful because he also really enjoys mowing the grass.

The next child is Armani, he is a 9 year old boy who enjoys learning about the weather, reading books on tornados, earthquakes and tsunamis. Armani’s prized experience is being able to go to the weather station and read the weather in front of the green screen. Armani also loves to swim, boogie board and will spend his free time at the local pool. Armani likes to be the jokester of the family, but is also very sensitive and concerned about others around him.

Isiah is the sports lover of the group. He loves playing basketball, swimming, soccer, and football. No matter which sport it is, Isiah is a natural athlete. He does very well academically and is a favorite amongst his peers in school. He is very helpful, polite, and likes to help cook dinner. He also enjoys reading, playing video games and playing with pets. Isiah would love to grow up and become a police officer.

The youngest boy is AJ. He is 6 years old and loves playing with his action figures, cars and video games. AJ does well in school and is even learning how to read and write in Spanish. He loves learning new words by sounding them out. Much like his older brother Isiah, AJ is also very athletic and enjoys playing basketball and baseball. AJ loves attention and will talk to anyone. He is a lover of all foods including vegetables! AJ has a lot of energy and will need a home that can keep up with him in a structured environment.

The youngest of the seven is Mary. She is four years old and is also a very girly-girl. She loves to play dress up, play house or play with her barbies. She is always ready to welcome house guests with her vivid imagination and story telling. Mary loves to sing along with the radio and although she is involved with dance lessons, she typically dances to the beat of her own drum. Mary can be quiet from time to time, but once she gets to know you she will become very friendly.

The seven children are very loving towards each other and are excited when they all are able to get together. These children will need a two parent home that can handle a very active family. Each of the children have activities and sports that they love to play so  the family would have to be able to support all of their individual activities while running a structured home that will provide love, nurture, and organization.

Connections

NA

Siblings

• Must be adopted together

Disabilities

Mild Physical and Developmental; Moderate Emotional and Behavioral

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Ar Reana and Ar Layha

Born: July 2003 and April 2005

Photographed by Tina Gunn

click picture to enlarge

Ar Reana is a young girl who loves the arts! She enjoys craft projects, drawing and creating her own projects. During her downtime Ar Reana enjoys practicing reading or completing word finds.  This girl loves to bake brownies or cupcakes and thoroughly enjoys helping out with whatever she can in the kitchen; she will even clean the dishes! Ar Reana is very nurturing and often talks about becoming a nurse, teacher, or firefighter when she grows up!

Ar Reana’s younger sister loves to be outdoors! You can typically find Ar Layha riding her big-wheel in the yard, hoola hooping or playing with a jump rope. Ar Layha is very active and exploratory, Ar Layaha is usually asking questions about how things work and why.  Ar Layha has a very big imagination  and a mind of her own. When she is not outside, she enjoys making crafts with her sister.

These two girls need a very patient and experienced couple to provide them with a forever home. The future parents should not have any other children in the home. They should also be active, imaginative, open-minded, but also structured and consistent. Ar Reana and Ar Layha need unconditional love and parents that will help them work through their past and ensure appropriate supervision at all times.

Connections

NA

Siblings

• Must be adopted together; Must stay within the midwest region

Disabilities

Mild Learning and Physical, Moderate Behavioral and Emotional;

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Brittany enjoys participating in after school activities with her peers.  Recently she wond first place in the 200 meter during a track and field competition.  Brittany enjoys playing on the computer, listening to music and spending time with her friends.  Brittany is a very independent young lady who enjoys her creative side.  She is looking for a family who will help her to safely explore her indepentent side and listen to her when she has something to say.

Brittany will need to remain in contact with her brother and sister in the future.

Connections:

Brittany would like to have contact with her siblings in the future 

Disabilities:

Moderate Emotional and Mild Behavioral and Physical

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Charlie

Born:November 1998

Photographed by:

  click picture to enlarge

Charlie is a very loving, talkative boy. He loves to play outside with his brother. They enjoy going to the park together, playing flag football and swinging on the swings. He likes to stay busy and active. Some of Charlie’s other favorite things include playing chess and playing games on his Wii game console. Charlie is honest, friendly, and has many friends at school. He enjoys attending school and his favorite subject is spelling. Charlie enjoys talking to others about what he has done during the day. Charlie has thrived living in both one-parent and two-parent homes. He is in need of a loving and stable home.

Connections

Brother and Foster Parent

Siblings

• Sibling is in the process of being adopted

Disabilities

Moderate Emotional and Behavioral; Mild Physical

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Click picture to enlarge  

Cierra can be described as smart, caring, creative and outgoing, and she enjoys being the life of the party. She loves to sing, dance, draw, take pictures, shop, go for walks with dogs, and get her hair and nails done. A typical teen, her dislikes include not being allowed to wear what she wants, not being able to watch certain TV programs, an early bed time, math, and sports.

In the future Cierra hopes to attend Metro Community College and earn a degree in hair styling. “I have always wanted to go to hair school ever since I was 10 years old,” she says. “I also want to have a job on the side taking care of children between the ages of 3 and 14. Those are my dreams for my future.”

Cierra longs to be part of an active family that enjoys going to movies, parades, concerts and festivals and especially one that encourages her own self expression.

Connections

Cierra would like to have contact with her brother and grandmother

Siblings

• Biological brother

Disabilities

Moderate Emotional and Behavioral

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Davonisha

Born: 01-2002

Photographed by: Farrah Grant

click pic to enlarge

Davonisha is a loving, outgoing child. She has had multiple placements and has a need to feel safe and loved. Davonisha’s teachers describe her as funny and a great helper around the classroom. She is your typical “girly girl”, she enjoys dressing up, high heel shoes, manicures, and putting on makeup. Davonisha is very versatile and does well when she feels engaged and included in activities. She loves to sing, dance, play kick ball and enjoys helping in the kitchen. Davonisha likes to interact with other children but will need supervision. She has a bond with her two siblings that will need to be maintained after the adoption is finalized. Davonisha needs a patient, experienced family who can provide structure and routine. Davonisha has a need to feel she can trust the adults in her life. Davonisha needs assurance on a day to day basis that she is loved.

Connections

Siblings

Siblings

• No siblings to display.

Disabilities

 Elriana would like to maintain connections with her biological siblings siblings

Siblings

• No siblings to display

Disabilities

 Ethan

Born: June 1996

Photographed by Allison Garrett

Ethan is a 14-year-old male who is legally free for adoption and is need of a Forever Family. Ethan describes the perfect family as a “single man with no other kids, who plays music, and has a cat”. Ethan states he “really, really, really likes music”, specifically heavy metal. Ethan likes to play the guitar, piano and harmonica, all of which he has taught himself how to play. Ethan also enjoys playing videogames, Guitar Hero, is one of his favorites. Ethan also enjoys doing art projects sometimes and likes to write. Ethan states that his vocational goal is to be a rock star, but his backup plan is to be an astronaut as he really likes the astronomy channel. Ethan also likes Asian and Chinese foods, and tacos are also a must! Ethan states he would like to stay close to Omaha, NE or Lincoln, NE for the long term.

Connections:

• None.

Siblings:

• None

Disabilities:

• Severe emotional and moderate behavioral

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Eva

Born: January 2002

Photographed by Farrah Grant

click picture to enlarge

Eva is a young girl who loves music and has an engaging personality. Eva may be non-verbal, but is able to form positive relationships at home, school and with previous foster families. She has recently begun singing her vowels and is learning how to use sign language. She loves one-on-one attention and will delight in showing you what she has recently learned. Eva is also very friendly and likes to wave at others passing her by. Though Eva is working on walking and eating by herself, she will need some assistance with these activities. Eva will need a loving family that can provide her with a structured and patient home. A model family for Eva would include a family that knows sign language, can give their undivided attention to her, and ensure that she will be the youngest child in the home.

Connections

None.

Siblings

• No siblings to display.

Disabilities

Severe Physical; Moderate Learning, Emotional and Behavioral;

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Jacquelynn

Born: January 1997

Photographed by Lane Hickenbottom

click picture to enlarge

Jacquelynn is a sweet girl and fun to be around. She is a complete girly girl who loves to have her hair done. She likes wearing accessories in her hair and loves to have it braided. In true girly girl fashion, Jacquelynn enjoys having her nails painted and wearing jewelry. She also likes playing outside and absolutely loves riding her bike. Jacquelynn is very energetic, but can also relax to watch movies or TV. Jacquelynn would do best in a two parent home as she requires a lot of supervision and attention. She will also need a home that will be able to advocate for her educational needs. Jacquelynn has biological siblings and her current foster family that she would like to remain in contact with while in her new home.

Connections

Jacquelynn has biological siblings that she will need to remain in contact with

Siblings

• No siblings to display.

Disabilities

Moderate Physical and Developmental; Severe Learning, Emotional and Behavioral;

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Jamel

Born: August 1995

Photographer: Chris Tierney

click picture to enlarge

Jamel or “Ja-mal” is an adorable boy with a lively personality. He enjoys the attention of others and is eager to please. He is polite, talkative and does not hesitate to ask for help. Jamel likes to play video games and watch Disney cartoons.  He is an active boy, who enjoys basketball and football. Jamel also enjoys playing with animals particularly dogs, rabbits, fish and parrots. Jamel enjoys being outdoors and fishing. He is very creative and his favorite subject in school is Art.

Jamel takes great interest in cars, he loves to draw and play with them. Someday he hopes to receive an electric scooter. Jamel will need a family who can provide a lot of structure, consistency, as well as unconditional love. Jamel has so much potential. Jamal needs a strong, loving family that can be a parent and a role model.

Connections

Jamel does not have any connections to maintain at this time.

Siblings

• No siblings to display.

Disabilities

Mild Learning, Emotional and Behavioral

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Connections

Needs to maintain contact with siblings

Siblings

• Sister

Disabilities

Mild Physical,  Moderate  Emotional and  Behavioral

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Kimberlee

Born February 1996

Photgraphed by:

 Click picture to enlarge

Kimberlee is a quiet young girl when you first get to know her. She takes her time getting to know others and building trust for those around her. She likes going shopping, especially if she can find a new Bratz doll to add to her collection. She enjoys playing sports, especially soccer and basketball, and just being outside. Kimberlee is caring, friendly, and has a great sense of humor. Kimberlee enjoys learning and does well in school. She needs a family that can teach appropriate socialization skills as to how to build and maintain healthy relationships with adults and peers. Kimberlee dreams of a family that has unconditional love, patience, and is committed to seeing her through the good and bad. Kimberlee wants a family that will “take good care of her” and “a home that is comfortable, happy, kind and allows her to have some freedom.”

Connections

There are a few connections Kimberlee would like to maintain

Siblings

Kimberlee does not have any siblings

Disabilities

Mild Developmental; Moderate Behavioral and Emotional

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Lavontae

Born: October 1998

Photographed by: Shawn Blevins

Click phot to enlarge

La Vontae is a boy who has a big heart for family.  He yearns to be accepted and loved for who he is.  LaVontae has learned to be very adaptable to new situations and loves to try new thing.  Currently his passions consist of basketball and wrestling.  A home that can continue to support and build on LaVontae’s interests would be ideal.

LaVontae would do best in a family that is patient and kind.  He needs a lot of time to be heard, so his new family can understand and support his individual needs.  LaVontae is lovable and people are always drawn to him when they meet him.  LaVontae desires a family that can give him affection and unconditional commitment.  It is important for LaVontae to keep in contact with his siblings.

Connections: 

LaVontae would like to remain in contact with his siblings

Siblings:

None posted

Disabilities

Mild physical and Moderate Behavior, Emotional, and learning

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La’Zaya

Born: October 1998

Photographed by: Monte Evans

Click picture to enlarge 

Update:  La’Zaya is currently having visits with her potential forever family. 

La’Zaya, or Zaya as she prefers to be called, is a sweet young lady who dreams of joining a stable, loving family.  A bright and eager student, she earns good grades and enjoys reading and journaling about her daily activities.  Zaya also loves to be active and participates in basketball, volleyball and other school sports.  A funny and fun-loving girl, Zaya is responsible and is often the first to volunteer when someone needs a helping hand.

Zaya would like a home with limited chaos, so a family with a lot of children would not be the best option for her.  She also prefers a home with no shedding animals.  She has successfully completed therapy and is looking for a family who will treat her fairly, but one that will keep challenging her.

Connections: 

La’Zaya would like to remain in contact with her Grandmother

Siblings:

None posted

Disabilities

Mild Behavior and Emotional

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Melissa

Born: March 1995

Photographer:  Lane Hickenbottom

Melissa is a vibrant young woman who enjoys sport-especially running cross country track- and watching UNO hockey.  She also love music and has been taking voice lessons since she was eight years old.  Respectful of others, Melissa is free-sprited and embraces the opportunity to express herself through sharing her life story, community activities and being a vegetarian.  She is described as a leader among her peers, does well in the classroom setting, and enjoys participating in school activities.

Melissa longs to be a part of a family where she has a sense of love, security, stability and safety-as well as the freedom to continue to express her joyful individuality.

Connections: 

Melissa does not have any connections at this time.

Siblings:

None

Disabilities:

Emotional and Behavioral: mild

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Nakyta

Born: July 1997

 Click picture to enlarge

Nakyta is a sociable young girl that loves to interact and play with others.  She is energetic and enjoys being active. She can often be found riding her bike and playing outside. Nakyta also likes to create various arts and crafts, and loves it when others do crafts with her. She is a good helper and is a loving child whom you will often find with a smile on her face. Nakyta’s sense of humor is another one of her strengths. She has experienced a great deal of hurt and loss in her life; therefore, her ability to trust and build relationships with others can take longer. She needs a family of her own that will love and protect her, as well as, keep her best interest at heart. Nakyta would do best in a home where she is the youngest or only child. An ideal family would be one that is active, provides consistency and structure, and also, helps her work through her issues of grief and loss. She needs a family who allows her to keep in contact with her sisters and other biological family as appropriate.

Connections

Must maintain sibling contact.

Siblings

Three sisters

Disabilities

Mild Physical; Severe Emotional and Behavioral

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Sherri