4Ever Family: Criselda

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Every week, CBS 4 works to find a forever home for a Rio Grande Valley foster child as part of our “4Ever Family” partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Meet Criselda, an outgoing, energetic, and friendly 15-year-old. She likes to stay engaged and active by playing basketball, working on crafts, listening to R&B music, and caring for animals.

At school, Criselda enjoys art classes and is considering trying out for the school basketball team. As for a career goal, Criselda has not yet decided what she would like to do, after graduating high school, and is keeping an open mind on her future career goals, but she knows she would like to go to college.

Like most girls her age, she enjoys having her hair and nails done and would like to have a mother to share a girl's day out.

A fun little-known fact about Criselda, she is not afraid to sing her heart out on road trips and enjoys making others laugh during long drives.

Criselda does not have any animals of her own but loves them all. She would love to have a small cat to help care for, however, she would also be happy if she could have a small rabbit, hamster, or any other animal with whom she can share love and attention.

When it comes to favorite foods Criselda likes Chick-fil-A and Mexican. She is also open to trying new places to eat and would love the opportunity to do so with her forever family. Other things on her fun list are, swimming at the pool or going to water parks, going for walks, the arcade, or a bowling alley.

Most of all she desires to be adopted by a family who will love and care for her, make her a part of their family, and help guide her through life.

If you think you could be Criselda's forever family or for another Texas child, call 1-800-233-3405. For more information visit www.adoptchildren.org where you can find a schedule of online public information meetings, and learn about the foster/adoption program.

You can also view the NEW www.heartgallerystx.org website, where South Texas children have their portraits along with individual personal stories they wish to share, with their future forever family.

Basic Adoption Requirements

The prospective foster/adoptive parents may be single or married and must:

• be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible mature adults
• complete an application (staff will assist you if you prefer)
• share information regarding their background and lifestyle
• provide relative and non-relative references
• show proof of marriage and/or divorce (if applicable)
• agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members
• allow staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household
• attend free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children