GREENSBORO, N.C. — This time of year it is all about traditions and it is known to bring families together.
For many kids in North Carolina, finding a permanent family is number one on their Christmas list.
Evan is 10 years old. He is a friendly and energetic boy, he loves science and has participated in a STEM program in the past, and his favorite subject in school is math.
When he grows up, Evan would like to be a police officer and would benefit from an adoptive family that understands him and his history.
He hopes that the family is kind.
"If you're a little kid and you don't have a family, you can't learn from nobody," Evan said.
Evan would like to be adopted alongside his brother Dylan.
Dylan is 8 years old. He is outgoing and likes to watch TV, eat sweets, play video games, ride his bike, and do his homework.
Dylan loves making friends, reading, coloring, and being helpful. He is also proud of himself when he does well with reading and math.
He said he would love an active family.
"I'd like to play sports and play with them, and that's it," Dylan said.
Marieli Quintero is the case worker, or recruiter, for both Dylan and Evan and a Child-Focused Recruiter for the Children's Home Society of North Carolina.
"Dylan looks up to Evan, and Evan is very protective over Dylan. So, the goal is to keep them together hopefully," said Quintero
If you look at the Children's Home Society of North Carolina's Website, Dylan and Evan are among the nearly 100 kids listed on their website, just waiting to find their permanent home for the holidays.
"These children deserve to have a permanent place to be, to meet people that will be there to support them and their dreams and their futures," said Quintero.
CHS said not only do they need more people to adopt, but there is a critical shortage of foster parents.
With nearly 11,000 children in care, there are only 5,400 foster homes in North Carolina.
Also, there is a 23% decline in foster homes from 2021 to 2022.
Quintero said the holidays bring families together to create memories and she hopes that the kids, like Evan and Dylan, see the magic of Christmas and get the family they dreamed of and deserve.
"It's been a while since they have done any Christmas traditions, like something as simple as getting to build a gingerbread house, just having the opportunity to do something as simple as that, would bring so much joy for them," said Quintero. "Please, they are amazing kids, they just need someone, they need a chance."
To be a foster parent, you can find the information here.
To meet the kids looking for their forever family, you can find the information here.