Christopher is 13 years old and has been in the state system since 1995. Because his mother abused drugs and alcohol while she was pregnant, Christopher suffers from mild retardation, ADHD and he has a speech problem. In 2002 he spent time at Lakeview Center in a Specialized Foster Home while his mother was incarcerated.

When Christopher first entered Specialized Foster Care he was difficult to handle due to his high activity levels and his short attention span, exhibiting defiant behavior and temper tantrums. Today, due to the kindness of others, Christopher’s behavior has improved dramatically. He is able to do his work at school, complete his homework, and read 30 minutes a day with his foster parents. His teacher compliments his obedience and says that he is a pleasure to have in class.

Christopher is now determined to keep his aggressive behaviors under control and says that he enjoys being a good kid. His self esteem has also improved, as he strives look his best all the time, he says, especially for the girls.