Child Profiles
Michael and Carlos
They are limited to one five minute call a week, not enough time for two brothers to share their support and love. Getting a day to make pizzas together at Grimaldi’s in Chandler was more than a tasty treat; the time together was something to savor. Seventeen-year old Michael and his 14-year old brother Carlos aren’t seeing much of each other these days. They are currently living in separate group homes hoping to be reunited and placed with a family that will be ready for the love and respect the two are waiting so badly to share.
What a casual observer notices first is how polite, calm and collected these brothers are. Michael is the charmer. He’s a bit smaller than his younger brother but he’s the athlete, good at any sport. He’s happy go lucky and admits he loves people. “For some reason people see me as a leader and they follow me,” he said.
Carlos is the more directed and serious of the two. He has taken on the role of care taker and watches out for his older brother. While both boys are good students, Carlos has exceptional intelligence and is a top math wizard at his school. Carlos is steadfast in his goals and has a strong sense of what is right and wrong. He knows he helps keep his older, more electric brother, grounded. Michael likes to be outdoors, Carlos likes to stay inside and play video games.
When asked to describe his younger brother Michael was instant in his praise. “He’s smart, loves animals and is caring. Whatever he sets his mind to do, he will do,” he said.
Carlos said his older brother is a caring guy who likes sports and is an excellent athlete.
Michael says he has plans to join the Marines and prove to himself and others that he is strong enough inside and out to make it. He hopes that will help him achieve his ultimate goal of working in law enforcement, like the FBI, to help keep Americans safe and secure. Carlos says he wants to be a robotic engineer and help discover something that will aid the human race.
They both added that they idolize and love each other. Being together is paramount in their minds.
After many years in foster care waiting a permanent family, they admit they are getting a bit desperate. They are now young men who are determined to find a family to call their own before time runs out. How important is a family to the boys?
“On a scale of one to ten, it would be a 10!” they both stressed. They have talked a lot about the type of family they would hope to be with. “We are not very picky,” said Michael. “We would like two parents and maybe a brother and sister. Most importantly we want to hang out with each other and share things like sports, washing the dog or just having a family dinner together.” They are hoping their forever family will share their love of camping, dirt bike riding and canoeing.
Their case manager, Charlotte, can’t say enough good things about the brothers. “They are empathetic, polite, loveable-just great kids,” she stressed. “They have a symbiotic tie where one helps and supports the other. They are trying to figure out how to take the next step from being a teenager to becoming a man and they need someone who can give them a little guidance. They are just exceptional kids.”For more information on Michael and Carlos or for general information on adoption and foster care opportunities, please call AASK at (602) 930-4900.
