DALLAS — Imagine a young boy in foster care opening Christmas gifts while surrounded by his forever family.
That's the special moment Jeremiah prays will happen next month.
Today's Wednesday's Child is 8-year-old Jeremiah.
"Today was the best day ever!" said Jeremiah as he ran around the Dallas Zoo. WFAA's photojournalist showed the 8-year-old how to use a GoPro camera. They called it the Jeremiah Cam.
"I loved it," said Jeremiah.
Overall, it was an exciting adventure for Jeremiah who had never been to the zoo before.
"Because I got to see the elephants and the giraffe," he said.
Jeremiah enjoyed seeing the African-painted dogs, and had the chance to feed animals he's only seen in books. His caseworker, Esther Rocha, said he doesn't have adventures like this often.
"Even though in the camera he might seem a little shy, once he opens up and flourishes, he's super fun to be around," she said.
Jeremiah loves animals and wasn't scared to get up close to any of them. Not even the lions. The only scary thing in Jeremiah's young life is not having a loving family who holds his hand at the Zoo or in life.
"He needs a lot of love for sure. He's been through a lot at such a young age. He needs someone who's willing to offer that love," said Rocha.
Jeremiah has been in foster care since 2019.
"He's very, very sweet," said Rocha. She says Jeremiah needs a home where there is structure and stability.
"He wants to know that he belongs. And he wants to make sure that you're gonna be there. He wants to make sure he feels safe."
Rocha has a goal of placing Jeremiah in an adoptive home as soon as possible.
"My hope for Jeremiah is that we're able to find him a home before the holidays because I would love for him to be able to spend Christmas with a family."
It might take a miracle, but Jeremiah got a hopeful sign when he asked a group of Nuns to stop and pray with him.
"We ask that you may fill our hearts with your love knowing that you are always with us and that you love us so much," said the Nun in part as she prayed with Jeremiah.
His sweet heart is filled with so much hope and Jeremiah has a lot to look forward to.
"Hugs and a family," he said.
If you would like to learn more about Jeremiah and how to adopt him, please call EMPOWER at (833) 7FOSTER and press * or email them at wednesdayschild@3empower.org
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