Eli is 13 years old and needs a Wisconsin foster home where things don’t change every few months. Years of instability have taught him to be careful with trust. He watches first, listens closely, and waits to see if adults are really going to stay.
Or if they, too, will abandon him.
Eli carries a lot of anger from the challenges he’s faced. When he’s overwhelmed or feels misunderstood, that anger can come out in unhealthy ways like yelling, shutting down, or testing limits.
The important thing to know? Eli can calm down. With time, space, and a calm adult who doesn’t escalate the moment, he can regulate and reconnect. He will do best with qualified foster parents who understand that anger is a stress response, not a character flaw.
Big chaos, loud homes, or constant changes can overwhelm Eli. He doesn’t respond well to lectures or punishment; he needs patience, clear boundaries, and adults who stay steady even when he can’t. This is where previous foster homes have failed him.
He responds best to calm, predictable routines, including work and family schedules. After school predictability is essential. Additionally, safe outlets like building, drawing, or spending time with family pets can help him regulate his emotions.
When he feels heard and respected, he begins to trust that adults will really be there for him. If not, his emotions can escalate.
School can also be challenging. Eli has ADHD and significant trauma in his past, which makes focusing and staying organized difficult. He receives school support and benefits most from encouragement and consistency rather than pressure. He is below grade level in most areas, particularly reading.
He requires a foster family that will strongly advocate for his education. Spending time reading at home will be important.
Eli is actively working through big emotions in therapy and will need a foster family willing to support that work. He also has ongoing contact with his biological family, and reunification remains the goal. His foster family will play a key role in helping him feel safe and supported as he prepares for that transition.
Eli would thrive in a home where:
Fostering a teen like Eli isn’t about fixing him. It’s about holding steady when things get hard, staying regulated when he can’t, and showing him that safe adults don’t disappear.
If you’re interested in learning more about fostering teens or becoming a foster parent with CCR, we’re here when you’re ready to take the first step.
All identifying information has been changed to protect the identity of children in care. This is not a child needing a home.
