Hearts Without Homes: Carl
By: Michael Holden
Updated: September 10, 2012
SEPTEMBER 10, 2012-There are
hundreds of children in our area that are waiting for their dream family.
Do
you want to help?
Meet
Carl.
He's
an optimistic and energetic 16-year-old who is hoping that you will open your
heart and give him a home.
He's
your average sixteen year old boy with a smile that could light up a room and a
heart of gold.
"I've
got a positive attitude, joyful and I make people laugh a lot," says Carl.
Carl
and I were lucky enough to enjoy a beautiful day under the sun playing one of
his favorite things-paintball.
It
was the perfect activity for Carl who describes himself as a fun loving country
boy who loves being outside and working with other people.
"I
grew up on a farm. I'm a farmer number
one and everything else is number two."
Thanks
to JAW Paintball in
Carl
and I hit up the paintball field, and we learned rather quickly that the fun
filled game can hurt.
"I played
paintball with the sharks. It was fun,
but it hurts when you get shot!"
I
even took one for the team... and a paintball to the face, but it was well worth
it.
When
Carl's not helping others, he enjoys working on cars, wood working and playing
games on Xbox.
"I work
outside. We build picnic tables inside
the workshop. A lot of building. A lot of work. A lot of everything," says
Carl.
Days
like this make Carl smile because he has been through a lot.
Carl
was removed from his birth family at age 4, was put up for adoption at age 9
and then was put back into the system after his adopted father was
incarcerated.
Carl
told me times have been hard, but his strong faith and positive attitude help
him get through each day.
"I
think that god would mostly help me with my path I need to go on that fits
me. With god he will point me in the
right direction."
When
Carl gets older he wants to join the Military and work as a mechanic.
If
you want to open your heart up, contact Family Services of North Western Pennsylvania
at 814-866-4500.
