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As part of our Youth Voices series, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption sat down with Jake, a young man who aged out of the foster care system. He was not part of the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids^® program and wishes that the program had been available to him and that adoption had been an option. He shared his story in hopes of raising awareness about the urgent need for foster care adoption. 

Jake spent his early childhood with his mom and dad. Unfortunately, as he got older, his mother’s mental health declined, and he was placed into foster care. He was quickly reunified with his father.  

“My dad was a single parent, and he had to work a lot,” Jake said.  

When Jake thinks back on his childhood, special moments with his grandma come to mind. Jake’s grandma was not only someone he looked up to — she was one of his primary caregivers.  

“My grandma is my biggest hero,” Jake shared. “We would watch Harry Potter together  … we would go to the premieres.”  

When her health began to decline, and she passed away, Jake’s relationship with his father fell apart.  

“When my grandma passed away … I was coming out as gay. I was losing my relationship with my dad. We were fighting all the time, and we had to go to court.” Jake said. A judge placed him in foster care at age 15, which was only meant to be temporary until he could reunify with his father. But ultimately, his father voluntarily terminated his parental rights. 

Jake’s first foster home was close to where he grew up. But after a short time, he had to move to a new area and change high schools.

Because an adoptive home was not found for him, when Jake turned 18, it was up to him to figure out his next steps. “I didn’t know what I was doing. I was by myself,” Jake shared. He opted to stay in foster care until age 21 to have access to health benefits. 

“With some health issues, it was my only choice.” Jake said. 

Through a combination of part-time jobs, grants, loans and state support for youth in foster care that he researched on his own, Jake earned his bachelor’s degree. “I had to take out student loans every single year,” he said. “I majored in psychology with a minor in criminology. I got a certification in clinical mental health care as well.” 

Jake is trying to build his own community. He has kept in touch with his foster father and is exploring reconciliation with his biological father.  

Now, Jake is working toward a Master’s in Public Administration with support through Georgia’s Fostering Success Act, a brand new program in the state. He hopes to make a difference for children and families impacted by some of the same challenges he endured.  

Although Jake is working hard toward a bright future, he wishes the journey hadn’t been so difficult.  

“I would’ve loved to have an adoption advocate. My caseworker was slammed with 100–150 caseloads. They don’t have the time to search for relatives, possible friends to serve as foster parents or adopt you. I wish I had something like that. I feel like that could have made a difference,” he said.  

You are never too old to need the love and support of a permanent family.

The Foundation’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program serves youth most at risk of aging out of foster care without a permanent family. You can help us expand the reach of this program, proven up to 3x more effective in serving youth like Jake. Explore ways to get involved and join our community of supporters to learn more.