Adoption Creates Sense Of Security For Pre-Teen

CANON CITY, Colo (CBS4) Nearly 5,000 children are living in foster care right now in Colorado, about 300 of those children are eligible for adoption. The Adoption Exchange is dedicated to finding those kids families who will love them for the rest of their lives. The organization helped 12-year-old Ariana find her family.

LINK: The Adoption Exchange

"I love my room," Ariana told CBS4.

She shows off her prefect pre-teen bedroom complete with her favorite colors and treasures. Hanging on the wall is a poster picture of Ariana when she was 10-years-old and still in foster care. The picture was part of the Colorado Heart Gallery which helps recruit families for foster care children.

LINK: Colorado Heart Gallery

"My life was really hard actually," said Ariana as she remembers her time in foster care.

Ariana spent more than 6 years in foster homes. She was featured on CBS4's Wednesday's Child in 2011. In the television story, she drew a picture of the home she dreamed of, including hearts in the windows representing all the love the home was filled with. Now she's found that love with Chris and Joanna.

"We gradually started thinking this feels like family. She feels like family," said Chris, on the couple's decision to adopt Ariana.

Chris and Joanna became foster parents two years ago, but they made a special connection with Ariana.

"It's actually pretty cool to be adopted," Ariana said.

"I think there's a sense of security, that she can trust that we're here," Joanna told CBS4.

The family faces a lot of challenges, but Arianna feels lucky to have parents she can count on to help her be the best person she can be.

"When you grow up, you want to be a good parent. You don't want to be a parent who runs around takes drugs all the time and not taking care of their kids," Ariana explained.

Now Ariana has the chance to break the cycle and someday be the kind of parent she's always wanted.

Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.