Juan Carlos and Francely Gonzalez have been licensed foster parents with His House Children’s Home since 2013. The family recalls the day that the first child was placed in their home, “She arrived helpless and uncertain, but eager to be happy and that is where she blossomed.”

Having witnessed the results first hand, the family has taken a fervent view on fostering. They continue to see their purpose as one in which they provide guidance, demonstrate love, and help children navigate life with security, confidence, and optimism as they look forward to the future.

The impact that the family has seen is a positive one as they welcome children who are hurting and in need of love and security to their home. “Every day with them is an achievement. To see all the positive changes and be proud to say that we are a foster family … to watch them blossom in society as good people … we know that we have achieved our purpose in life.”

In addition to serving as foster parents, the family also provides respite care for children. For the Gonzalez family, as long as there is room, their home is always open to provide children a safe.

The family shares, “We are the example of God working through different people in different ways, but the same God who fulfills His purpose through them all.”

Raquel E. has not been able to have children of her own, but was always impressed by individuals who fostered or adopted children. When she became a foster parent herself, she came to value any amount of time she got to share with the child. Raquel states, “I am grateful every day for the opportunity God has presented me with to offer a loving home to a child, to attend to his needs, and to enjoy the family experience.”

Raquel has fostered two children. Although one child was with her for only three days, she felt that her home was a safe haven for that short time. Of her current placement she says, “It has been an awesome experience, being able to foster the child (who has been) in my home for the past fifteen months. Just seeing his face when he looks at me is priceless. He makes my day when I go to his bed in the mornings and he opens his arms for me to pick him up and then hugs me.”

While the experience has been awesome, Raquel has had to face multiple challenges. She has had to deal with her foster child’s health issues, kept multiple doctor appointments, tried different milks and medications, and has gone to court to keep up with the legal issues throughout the process.

Having a good support system of “family, good friends, the licensing group, and being part of the FAPA group and attending their support meetings” has allowed Raquel “to find the strength to overcome whatever the situation and to keep taking things a day at a time.”

Raquel encourages anyone who desires to begin the fostering journey to first ask this simple question, “Do you have room in your heart to share with a foster child? Because if you do, that’s all you need. Once a child is in your life, you will not regret it. My life has changed for the best, knowing I am helping a child who did not have a loving and stable home.”