Sisters Kennedy, 12, and Aaniyah, 11, are living apart in foster care, but dream of a forever home together.
DALLAS — They may live in separate homes, but 12-year-old Kennedy and 11-year-old Aaniyah are inseparable at heart.
“She means everything. Everything,” said Kennedy about her little sister.
Aaniyah echoed the sentiment, saying, “I can’t live without my sister. I barely get to talk with her.”
Aaniyah said she doesn’t speak often enough with Kennedy because the two sisters are currently living apart in foster care. This reality devastates them, they say, especially since they’ve been in foster care most of their lives and need one another.
“I really do care about her,” said Kennedy.
You might remember Aaniyah when we featured her in 2021, bouncing around with their little brother at a trampoline park in the middle of the pandemic.
This is what she told us at the time: “I want to have a family that is kind and that is nice.”
Their brother is currently living in a separate placement while Kennedy and Aaniyah are hoping for the one thing that matters most to them: a forever family who adopts the two of them together.
“I want to feel loved and cared about and not scared. And I want to be able to trust someone,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy describes herself as sweet and empathetic. She thrives in motion, whether it’s playing basketball, gymnastics, or trying martial arts. She says being active is like therapy.
“It’s a good coping skill. Instead of me thinking about anger, I think about sports,” she said.
Aaniyah is super smart and has an abundance of energy! She tried everything during our taping at Bolder Adventure Park in Grand Prairie, including rock climbing.
“I am very quiet most of the time. When I get excited, I start jumping around,” she said, holding onto her sister’s arm.
Aaniyah lights up when she sees Kennedy.
“My sister is very loving, she’s very caring. I love my sister,” said Aaniyah.
Both girls dream not just of a home, but of a future side-by-side.
“I want to be a marine biologist. There’s something about the ocean that’s inspiring and fascinating,” said Kennedy.
While Kennedy aspires to be a marine biologist, Aaniyah is interested in the science of baking.
“If my sister’s going to be in the ocean, I’m going to be a baker on the ocean and bake for people in her crew!” Aaniyah teased.
They’ve got the dream all mapped out.
“A family that’s loving and caring and not too strict. One that has pets and is very sportsy,” Kennedy described.
These beautiful sisters may be different in personality, but their hearts are one. And their hope is simple. They want to find a loving family where they can always be there for each other
If you are interested in finding out more about Aaniyah and Kennedy, please contact the Heart Gallery of North Texas at 817-809-3440 or email them at hello@heartgallerynorthtexas.org. Please include their names in the subject line.