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We sat down with parents who have adopted teenagers through the Foundation’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® program and adoption recruiters who work with these young people to hear their perspectives and advice for others considering this journey.

“Teens in foster care have been through so much. They have experienced disappointment. And maybe people that have made commitments to them already, and it hasn’t worked out. They might make you work a little extra hard for it to help break down those walls, but they’re still deserving of that permanent family,” Wendy’s Wonderful Kids supervisor Jami shared.

“They are some of the most fun, resilient young people,” Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter Kayla added.

Kristine and Mark adopted brothers Athanial and Levie from foster care and while the boys came to the family at different times, the journey held many of the same rewards and challenges.

“I wish people knew that teens in foster care — they’re not broken, they’re not damaged. They didn’t choose to be there,” Mark shared. “Teens and kids and young adults in foster care … they need love too.”

“With the tough times come the good times. And it’s worth it — it’s beyond worth it — to know that these kids now have a future,” Kristine added.

Emilie and John adopted their daughter Merriah from foster care just before her 15^th birthday. Before adoption, Merriah had spent nine long years worrying about what her future might hold.

“I think the label teenager makes people think kids are older than they are,” shared Emilie. “A teenager is still a kid. The main thing is just to see kids as kids and not as a teenager or a part of the system or a foster kid — without all the labels,” she shared.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, Megan, who helped bring the family together, emphasized the impact of finding loving, permanent families for teens like Merriah. “I think keeping kids from aging out of care is the most important work that you can do,” she said.

“They’re more than just their story,” Kirstie, another Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, shared. “A lot of times with the teenagers especially, they’ve been in care for a while, where they have all these attributes or characteristics from their past that follow them. Or these bad behaviors because they don’t have love and support and structure within a family. They don’t have that support and that ongoing encouragement, that reminder that, ‘I’m not going to give up on you.’”

That love and encouragement was essential for Sean — who was adopted at age 15 by Laura and Dave, with Kirstie’s help.

Cyndi has been working with youth in foster care, including teenagers, for more than 10 years.

She shared, “Teenagers in foster care, they get a bad rap, but there are some awesome teenagers. We work with wonderful kids … they’ve just had an unfortunate beginning. They really need somebody that would love them unconditionally. Support them. They’ve got goals and want to succeed just like anybody else.”

Cyndi helped Sean adopt brothers Christian and Brody. The brothers’ lives are better together, and Sean’s life is forever better since becoming their dad too.

“I think the main thing I wish people knew about older kids is they’re just as loving and that they can integrate into your home as well. I think people think that you need to have a younger child in order for them to fit or mesh well with your family, and that makes people a little bit reluctant to adopt older children. But they are just as deserving, and they want families too,” Sean shared.

For those considering opening their hearts and home to a teenager waiting for a family, Cyndi has a message to share:

“Everyone’s looking for a sign. There are signs everywhere. Kids need families. There is nothing better in this world that you could do to make a difference in a child’s life.”

If you or someone you know is interested in adopting, including adopting from foster care, our free step-by-step guide is a great place to start. Another important way you can get involved is by raising awareness and helping break down myths about adopting from foster care.  A simple click could change the life of a child who needs a family now.