Ra'shon

   
by KYW's Larry Kane
Produced by Jim Melwert    
   
Seventeen-year-old Ra'shon uses poetry to express his feelings. He cites Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou as his influences.

It won't be long until he's legally an adult. And he says he's ready to face the world on his own:

"Head to college, early childhood teaching is the first plan.  Try to get that done and get up on my feet and try to make something of myself."

But while he's ready to take on the world, Ra'shon says he would still welcome adoption, and a permanent family:

"Family's very important because they're the main ones you can look to when something goes wrong or if you need a hand."

And, he says, he looks forward to someday becoming a father and starting a family of his own:

"What I've learned over the years is that every struggle that I've had is another way to teach me how to become a better father, because I'll know most of what my child or my family is missing or what they need."

In addition to poetry Ra'shon also writes short stories, many of them drawing on his experiences in life:

"I often put on my headphones or music and let the pencil talk about anything I've been feeling or anything I've been going through."
   
For more information, go to the web site of the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley, ACDV.org.