11-year-old boy found his forever home just in time for Christmas

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - Six months ago, Arizona’s Family launched our Finding Forever series. It’s our effort to introduce viewers to some of the wonderful Arizona children in the foster system, kids off all ages looking for a forever home. On this Tuesday morning, we have some great updates to share. Throughout our Finding Forever stories, we have met artists and athletes, ids who want to be veterinarians when they get older, and others who want to start businesses to help foster kids. CJ is one of those kids.

CJ hung out with our Ian Schwartz at the park in April and he got a tour of storm commander. The 11-year-old is kind, generous, loves animals, and now has been matched with a family! AASK, the adoption organization we have partnered with, said there are few more steps, but CJ is on his way to his forever home.

Another match!

And more good news. Romeo, who was highlighted on azfamily.com, was matched with and adopted by a couple, Corey and Chaddrick Johnson-Avery. They used to live here but now live in Texas. They finalized their adoption with Romeo days before his 11th birthday in August. They are all very excited to share their first Christmas together as a family.

We got to chat with them Monday over Zoom. Chaddrick said the adoption took some time, but the patience paid off. “The most important thing is making sure that he is happy,” he said. “Making sure he is healthy. Being a part of his life and making him smile and give him all of those things he desperately wanted.”

Corey, Romeo’s other father, said it has been such a great experience. He did entourages potential adoptive parents to keep and open mind. “I know a lot of times or initially everyone wants a newborn, a younger child,” he said. “but keep in mind the older they do get into the system, the more difficult it is to find a forever home, and I think everyone deserves that.”

To find out how you might become a forever family Arizona waiting children, contact Aid to Adoption of Special Kids at 602-930-4900 or by emailing info@aask-az.org. You can also visit the Children’s Heart Gallery.