Sometimes life hands you lemons, but instead of lemonade Jesse makes art.
Jesse is very honest about the fact that his childhood wasn’t the easiest. Through no fault of his own, he faced a lot of obstacles. What’s amazing, though, is that Jesse has found ways to cope, to heal, and to be strong through his own creativity.
Jesse has true talent as an artist. His work is expressive, compelling, and gives a glimpse into his own heart. He frequently draws self-portraits but also takes inspiration from people he sees or just from his own imagination.
Welcome to Jesse’s art gallery.
When asked how friends would describe him, the first two adjectives that come to Jesse’s mind are “artistic” and “creative.” They seem like fitting descriptions considering his talent and his future goals.
After high school, Jesse hopes to go to either Michigan State University or Ferris State University to join their art program. We can only imagine how his talent will soar when he has more formal training.
Jesse has raw, natural, artistic talent just waiting to be developed.
Jesse has the skills and the motivation, but a supportive family who has his back would really help him reach his goals. Jesse knows that family isn’t limited to blood relatives. “To me it isn’t blood, it isn’t paper written down, it isn’t adoption, it’s whoever you put yourself around,” says Jesse. “So anybody who wants me to be around would be my family.”
Seriously? Who wouldn’t want to be around this amazing teen?
In addition to art, Jesse plays guitar and loves sports. He says he has tried almost every sport… but not lacrosse. Not yet, anyway. Though he’s a definite fan of being active, Jesse comes across as very chill when you meet him. “I may not seem energetic,” he jokes. “But usually most of the time I’m bouncing off the walls!”
It’s no surprise that this athletic and creative teen prefers to be outside and active more than playing video games. He values time with friends, loves pets, and likes the shock of a good horror movie from time to time.
Every piece of art needs a final brush stroke or a final splash of color to make it complete. Jesse is a work of art himself and what would make his life complete is a family that will love him, stick by him through thick and thin, and help him become the best possible version of himself.
Jesse would do best with at least one mother figure in his life, so a single mom, a mom and a dad, or two moms would be a great fit.
BEHIND THE SCENES: MARE Adoption Permanency Specialist, Jennifer Brooks, got to spend some time with Jesse while creating this In-Depth Profile. “Jesse is very self-aware and driven,” says Jennifer. “Jesse wants a family that will love all the pieces of him, not just the fun stuff. Jesse is very upfront about the struggles he has had and the trauma he has endured and how it has shaped him. Jesse wanted to share with the world his love of art. Jesse is a resilient youth who genuinely wants a family!”