Oklahoma Foster Child Receives Over 5,000 Inquiries, After He Shared Wish ‘To Have a Family, and Family, Family’

A nine-year-old boy in foster care in Oklahoma may be getting his wish granted after his plea for a family went viral.

Jordan has spent six years in foster care and wants nothing more than a family to call his own. As part of a series focusing on children in foster care, a local news station decided to interview Jordan and highlight his story in hopes that it would pique a family’s interest in adopting the sweet young boy who wants to become a police officer.

During the interview, Jordan shared that if he had three wishes, he only had one thing on his mind. “To have a family, and family, family. Those are the only wishes I have…I would just like to have a family to call mom and dad, or just mom, or just dad. I don’t really care.”

“I could have some people to talk to anytime I need to. I hope one of y’all pick me.”

Jordan’s story quickly went viral, as it tugged at the heart strings of Americans across the country. Since then, the Oklahoma foster system has received more than 5,000 inquiries. The system has been so overwhelmed, that Oklahoma DHS had to implement an “overtime plan just to handle the calls and emails about adopting Jordan.”  

“I’m in the process of reading through those profiles to select a family to try and move forward with,” Christopher Marlow, an OKDHS Permanency Planning worker, said. He is the one working on Jordan’s case. “I’m really excited about this and very hopeful this is going to be the breakthrough we needed to find this kid a home.”

Jordan has not had an easy time in foster care. His brother was adopted last year, and they haven’t been able to see each other as much.

“Jordan has had struggles while in foster care. Now he’s older. He’s adorable. He really wants a family. He sees his brother has found that,” Casey White, communications administrator for Oklahoma’s DHS, told TODAY.

He’s had some inquiries in the past, but they’ve fallen through.

According to a report by TMZ, Jordan will need a home with a “patient, understanding family” as he’s experienced some traumatic events. His prospective parents should also either have no children in the home or older children, so he can get the attention and support that he needs.

Oklahoma DHS is confident that with all the interest, they can place Jordan within the next six months.

It’s not just Jordan, there are more than 100,000 children across the country waiting for adoption.

“When a situation like this happens and a story about a child goes viral, sometimes families are only interested in that child,” White said. “There are a lot of other kiddos who need families.”

“I really hope if people are compelled by Jordan’s story, that they will remember he is not alone. Our foster families are critical to helping kids heal. If he warmed your heart, there’s is probably a reason you called.”

Dr. Sharen Ford, who runs Focus on the Family’s foster and adoption program Wait No More, shared with The Daily Citizen: “My heart breaks to think that Jordan had to be separated from his younger brother. We celebrate that his brother has a new family. It’s Jordan’s time now. The television segment gives us a glimpse into several issues: 1) the need for families that are equipped to meet the needs of sibling groups, 2) the importance of sibling contact when they can’t be placed together and 3) how important it is for children to have a family. It also gives insight that Jordan has some needs. He’s living in a group home. He said what he needs most, a family. His caseworker will look for a family that is equipped to provide the structure, support and stability for Jordan to be successful. 

“Lastly, we can’t forget that if 5,000 families have raised a hand to say, ‘I’m willing to look into being a family for a child in need,’ there are thousands of children like Jordan all waiting for their family. Please consider inquiring about the other children in Oklahoma or your own state that want and need a permanent family…‘A mom and a dad.’ (That was quote from Jordan…)”

If you were moved by Jordan’s story and are considering foster care and adoption, learn more about the process and what you can do through the Wait No More program, which helps educate and empower families to help waiting kids in foster care.

Photo from KFOR Oklahoma’s News 4

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