From Foster Family To Forever Home!
At just 9 months old, Arial had already been relocated three times. By the time she was 13 months, her life changed dramatically when she found stability and care with Jaclyn. Neglected in her early months, Arial had not developed basic skills like chewing and swallowing, despite having teeth. For Jaclyn, this was her first challenge as a foster mom. With patience, love, and determination, she poured herself into helping Arial regain her health and learn the motor skills she had missed. It was a small but meaningful victory, marking the beginning of Jaclyn’s fostering journey.
Just two months later, Jaclyn’s phone rang again—this time bringing news of another child in need. Soon after, she received yet another call, this one about two young brothers: Carter, just 13 months old, and Jackson, only 5 months old. Both boys were in urgent need of care, their short lives already shaped by profound hardship. One of the boys, a twin, had tragically lost his sibling in infancy due to their biological mother’s actions, while the other had suffered severe injuries, including broken ribs and a spinal injury. Despite the weight of their tragic pasts and her limited resources, Jaclyn didn’t hesitate to say “yes.”
Fostering four children was no small task, but Jaclyn embraced the joys and challenges of fostering wholeheartedly, building a loving home where each child could flourish. Over time, her bond with Arial, Carter, and Jackson deepened, leading Jaclyn to make the life-changing decision to adopt them. They were no longer foster children; they had become her family forever.
Jaclyn’s journey wasn’t an easy one. Living in a small two-bedroom home with limited space and driving a car too small for extra car seats, she could have said no to fostering. But she chose to trust in God’s provision, believing that she was called to this path for a reason. Remarkably, she discovered she still had two cribs stored away—cribs she’d felt compelled to keep, though she didn’t know why at the time. "It felt like God wanted me to hold onto these a little longer," she reflected. Soon after, she purchased a minivan and moved into a new home, marking the beginning of a completely transformed life. Within just four months, Jaclyn became a mother to four children.
The culmination of Jaclyn’s journey came during a momentous court hearing. On the same day, under the same judge, she officially adopted Arial, Carter, and Jackson. It was a powerful, life-changing moment that cemented her role as their mother and turned their home into a forever family—a testament to the love, faith, and resilience that defined her journey.
Why Fostering Matters
When asked why someone should consider fostering, Jaclyn’s answer was simple yet profound: “For the simple fact that children need safety.” Her story is a testament to the difference one person can make in the lives of vulnerable children. Through faith, resilience, and unconditional love, Jaclyn has provided not just a home but a future for her children.
Inspired by countless stories like Jaclyn, A Door of Hope is committed to ensuring that no child faces the world alone. With over 500 licensed foster homes spanning 11 counties in Florida, A Door of Hope continues to be a source of hope and stability for children in crisis.
To learn how you can be part of stories like this, visit our Get Involved page.
For privacy and protection, names and images used have been changed to safeguard the identities of our foster families and the children in their care.
