The oldest is nine, and he does a good job of watching over his younger siblings, ages five, four and three. But what they all need, are parents to watch over them all. This sibling set of four, who are separated right now in two homes, just want to be together again.
"Me, Joshua, Adolfo, Genesis, and Yahaira."
As the oldest brother, nine-year-old Joshua introduced his three siblings, he tried to keep their ages straight. Good thing, his sister Genesis, was there to help. And, with all of the siblings, it's easy to get the ages confused – especially between Yahaira and Adolfo. Their birthdays are one year minus two days apart. And, Adolfo turned three just two days after Yahaira turned four.
"She doesn't talk to people she doesn't know,"
And though Yahaira is bilingual, Joshua says she prefers to speak Spanish.
"He is really a good kid. He listens, he is very responsible, very smart," said Protective Services Worker Jose Santana. "He protects his younger sisters and brother and he's just a very good outgoing kid."
But Joshua can't look out for his siblings as often as he'd like.
Right now, these four siblings are split up in two homes, and they only get to see each other once a week, which is not nearly often enough.
These siblings are yearning for structure and stability that they only get in small doses now at the Boys and Girls club. There they also receive help with their homework, they draw and work in the computer lab.
But at the end of the day, Joshua, Genesis, Yahaira and Adolfo deserve to go home to one loving family.
"Like everyone, they need a balance of love and structure and someone to care, so that's what we're looking for, a good adoptive home," Santana added.
If you are interested in adopting from foster care, or becoming a foster family, call 1-877-I-ADOPT-U, or visit iadoptu.org.
News 8 would also like to thank local photographer Malia Dadez for volunteering her time to take the Heart Gallery photographs featured in this story.
