Rebecca’s calling is clear to invest in the next generation. “The impact you can make is to show teens: 'You’re worthy of love. You’re worthy of having someone be part of your life. There’s hope in your future.’”

The process of becoming an adoptive family takes time, like it would for any blended family. So don’t panic if the bonding between siblings is less than ideal.

Adoptive parents may experience anxiety when unusual behavior appears in their adopted adolescent child. But it’s common. As long as the journey is more forward than backward, you’re moving in the right direction.

There are no guarantees when raising children, and I've learned to let go of some of my expectations and love my children no matter what.

While you may be drawn to fostering to love a child, please realize some kids aren’t ready to be loved—not by a stranger.

Just because I work in foster care didn’t make it easier when strangers made comments to or about my family, but I found it helpful to have a ready response. Here are five I often used to diffuse an awkward or insensitive comment.

Our kids saw foster care as exciting—Yay! A new brother or sister!—but they soon realized there was more to it than that. Our life as a family flipped upside down with each new placement, so we followed these guidelines to make sure our kids were not overwhelmed.

Talk honestly with your children about what foster care is and how having another child in your home will affect them.

More than 45 years ago, Church of the Servant asked a simple question: How can we get to know the neighbors in our city?

When José fled violence in South America, he knew education was his path forward in the U.S.