SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Eleven-year-old Dwayne is living in a stable and loving foster family right now, but that's only a temporary home, what Dwayne needs is a forever home.
Dwayne is a completely different kid, than he was a year and a half ago when we first met. These days he's outgoing, engaging and has a beaming smile.
When I first met Dwayne, he had just moved to San Diego from Detroit and was noticeably under stress.
“Dwayne has a great smile and it sometimes, it's becoming more difficult to get that smile out of him as his days are prolonged at the shelter right now,” said.
Dwayne had just spent thanksgiving and Christmas in an emergency children's shelter, where he was teased by a few bullies. He was lonely, and had little support.
But now, Dwayne is living in a loving foster home.
And the change in him is remarkable. He is confident and charismatic and gives all the credit to his foster parents:
“Well they helped me, once I got there, they helped me getting over habits.”
Dwayne says his foster parents treat him very well and while he admits it's difficult to do everything they ask of him, Dwayne says, he's trying his best.
“Yes, sometimes, there are ups and downs, but we get through it, and they teach me a lot of good stuff, so I learn from it, then sometimes I forget, they have to remind me again, then I just get to it,” Dwayne explained.
Dwayne says his foster parents are doing a great job teaching him right from wrong.
“Like if we're going to a restaurant, they're just teaching me manners, before we get in any restaurant because manners is an important thing,” said Dwayne. “And they teach me no disrespectfulness, like you don't have to be perfect, because no one's ever perfect.”
Dwayne is wise beyond his years, but what he deserves is to just be a kid in a stable and loving home.
“I would want a family that has a dog. Because I'm good with pets,” continued Dwayne.
Dwayne says he loves his school, where he's learning to play tennis. He also likes to build robots.
Dwayne has his sights set on a bright future, all he needs is a forever family to help him get there.
“I'm just going to keep on blossoming to a good way,” he said.
If you are interested in adopting or becoming a foster family, please call 1-877-I-ADOPT-U.
CBS News 8 would also like to thank Boomers San Diego for hosting a fun day at the park.