by KYW's Larry Kane
Produced by Jim Melwert

Sixteen-year-old Laura is in eleventh grade, and is already looking forward to graduation:

(Laura:)  "Finishing school, getting ready for college."
(Kane:)  "Where do you want to go to school and what do you want to study?"
(Laura:)  "I want to go to Rutgers University and I want to study cosmetology or nursing."
(Kane:)  "How are your grades in school? Do you do well?"
(Laura:)  "A’s and B’s."

But just because Laura is getting for college doesn’t mean she doesn’t need an adoptive family.  National Adoption Center spokeswoman Gloria Hochman:

“Many people think that at 16 a child doesn’t really need a family. But the truth is that if any of us think about ourselves, didn’t we need a family at 16, or 18, or 26, or even 36?  A family is critical.”

When she’s not focusing on her school work, Laura is your typical 16-year-old:

(Kane:)  "What are some of your favorite things to do?"
(Laura:)  "Shop, do hair, hang with friends, go on the computer, skating, movies."
(Kane:)  "What are your favorite movies?"
(Laura:)  "Comedies."

Laura describes what she’d want from an adoptive family:

“If I need to talk to them they’d be understanding.   If I needed something they’d be there to help me, just people that’s there.”
       
For more information, go to the web site of the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley, ACDV.org. 
 
(Photo by KYW's Ed Fischer)