Summer Miracles – International Adoption Success Stories

“Now we’re excited to live our lives together as an official family,” says Aaron. It’s only been a few months, but Greg and Aaron are already learning a lot about parenthood.

Derly Beacom learned early on to be self-sufficient. “Growing up in an orphanage in Colombia, I knew I had to take care of myself.

When Andrea first joined our Kidsave community, she wanted to make a difference by volunteering and providing care for LGBTQ+ kids growing up in foster care...

The beginning of Yamile’s life was marked by loss. Although her birth mom loved her, she was unable to care for her, so Yamile was moved into government care in Colombia.

They signed up for Kidsave’s Summer Miracles program with the hopes of connecting with their host kids, helping them find a family, but not necessarily adopting themselves. That quickly changed.

When a small, inquisitive, 7-year-old Maria arrived from Kazakhstan in 2001, she was excited and nervous about meeting the family that would host her during her 5-week stay in the U.S.

When Vivian was 9 years old, her little brother was adopted without her. “They said I was too old,” she shares matter-of-factly. “One of the most heartbreaking things is to have your little brother taken away from you.”

Laura and Maria are both excited to celebrate their first blended Christmas together. Though, Laura has made sure to let Maria know that double celebrations “do not mean double the presents!” Laughing, Laura says, “I told her we can open half on Christmas Eve and half on Christmas Day.”

Brenda felt connected to Chayan as soon as he arrived from Colombia. “The moment that sticks out most to me is the second he got off the plane.” She remembers Chayan running up to her in a blur of yellow,“ he had these little yellow glasses and his yellow shirt, and he was the tiniest little thing with this big smile on his face, running up to me.”