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Lavar, 14, loves sports, music and one day wants to open a clothing store. Now, he lives in a group foster home and hopes to be adopted.
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REZA MARVASHTI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR 
A family could help make all his dreams come true
Lavar, who lives in a foster group home, hopes for a bright future, with parents standing beside himDate published: 3/5/2011 BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE As a young child, Lavar couldn't match his clothes. So a foster brother picked out Lavar's clothes each day. Eventually, Lavar got the knack. Now, he dresses stylishly and hopes to one day own a store selling high-end fashion for men. Style is just one of the things Lavar has picked up in his seven or so years in foster care. But now, the 14-year-old longs for something foster care can't provide: permanency. Lavar would like to find adoptive parents. "You can have more privileges when you're adopted by a family," he said. Lavar doesn't mind foster care so much, he said. Actually, he shrugged and softly muttered, "It's OK." He doesn't like to talk about foster care. His friends don't know that after school, when they head home to their families, Lavar heads to a group home east of Richmond for foster children. When he's with his friends, he talks about the other aspects of his life: sports, video games, music. Lavar looks older than he is; at 14, he stands at 6 feet tall. He thinks for a while before he speaks. When he does, he talks carefully in a soft voice. His height helps in one of his favorite sports, basketball. But when it comes to his most-loved sport, Lavar relies on skill. He he has played football since childhood. And he said he has "good throwing accuracy." When asked, he added that his running and catching skills aren't bad either. Lavar would love to play football when he grows up. He also wants to be a rapper. Throw in his clothing store, and Lavar is bound to be a busy man. He just hopes to achieve these goals with parents backing him up. Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
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Date published: 3/5/2011
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