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Michelle is a leader, a builder, a pilot--anything she wants to be. She's also living in foster care and up for adoption.

But mostly, Michelle is a joy.

She's 12 years old, but she operates at about the level of a 6-year-old.

"She is intellectually challenged, so about half of her age," said Steve Vorenkamp, one of Michelle's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers. "But she is a typical 6-year-old if you did it that way."

Vorenkamp says Michelle is learning new things all the time.

"We're just hoping that she'll bring us to the level that she's comfortable with," said Vorenkamp, "and that's going to be Michelle."

Vorenkamp and his wife have been Michelle's CASA volunteers for five years.

"We've watched her from a teeny little thing to what you see now," said Vorenkamp.

Vorenkamp says Michelle is somewhat quiet and demure--until you get to know her.

"Then she's playful and inquisitive, and does very well at school," said Vorenkamp. "She's at the top of her world when she's surrounded with things to do."

For those five years, Vorenkamp has hoped someone special will see what he sees in Michelle.

When asked what it would mean to him to see her adopted by her forever family, Vorenkamp couldn't keep a dry eye.

"That would be amazing," said Vorenkamp.

"We're hoping that Michelle gets a loving family that understands her needs," said Vorenkamp. "But I mean for her, it means everything. A loving family? Something that can be relied on at all times? It's the best of all worlds."

"You'd get nothing but joy out of this child, and she certainly needs that too," Vorenkamp said.

There is no cost to adopt a child from Texas foster care. Plus, the child is awarded free tuition to any state university when the time comes.

If you are interested in adopting Michelle or any of our Wednesday's Children, call Voices for Children at (979) 822-9700.