Jarrell

by KYW's Larry Kane
Produced by Jim Melwert

Fifteen-year-old Jarrell has one passion in life:

"Basketball."

At 6' 1" tall, Jarrell is already playing on the varsity team, and he was the leading scorer this past season:

"When I'm on the court, I really block everything out. I don't worry about the crowd, I just do what I have to do to win."

Jarrell says he's using the lessons he learns on the court to help him be a better person off the court -- especially with his school work:

"I was doing bad at first, but now I've turned it around and I'm doing better.  I just want to keep playing basketball.  I won't do anything to mess it up."

His social worker, Melaney Hill, agrees, saying that basketball is teaching Jarrell to be a man:

"He's perfecting his leadership skills on the court, and it's transcending into other areas in school.  They're seeing him come out as a leader."

And Jarrell shares his thoughts on what he would want from an adoptive family:

"Just care about me, treat me good.  Talk to me when I'm having problems.  Just be there when I need you."

For more information, go to the web site of the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley, ACDV.org. 

(Photo by KYW's Ed Fischer)