Jennifer’s Adoption Journey
When Jennifer and her husband began their foster care journey, they couldn’t have foreseen the profound impact it would have on their lives.
On January 29, 2023, the Detroit couple welcomed two young siblings—a bright-eyed 18-month-old girl and her 8-month-old baby brother—into their home and into their hearts.
“We went from no kids to two babies overnight,” Jennifer laughs. “It was a crazy change, but we felt like God was leading us to say yes.”
Though they had once promised each other not to take more than one child at a time, that promise quickly faded in the face of faith and compassion. “It was an insane learning curve, but eventually we found our groove,” she says.
Throughout the process, Samaritas walked beside them every step of the way—from the initial foster parent training to home licensing, and through countless late-night calls and caseworker visits.
“Our Samaritas team was incredible,” Jennifer shares. “They answered every question, prayed with us, and reminded us that we were never alone. They helped us understand the process and gave us the confidence to keep going when things got hard.”
Over time, Jennifer and her husband grew close not only to the children but also to their biological mother, a young woman trying hard to get back on her feet. “She loved her babies so much,” Jennifer recalls. “We did everything we could to support her, to encourage her, and to pray for her success.”
After more than a year together, the court decided the children would be reunited with their mother. “It broke our hearts,” Jennifer admits, “but we knew it was part of God’s plan. We trusted that He would continue to protect them.”
But God’s plan had another twist. Months later, Jennifer and her husband were asked if they’d consider adopting the children, who are now almost three and four years old. Their answer was an immediate, emotional yes.
“Our adoption was finalized in April 2025, and even though this has been the toughest 2½ years of our lives, we wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Jennifer says. “Samaritas supported us through every stage. Foster care was so rewarding because we were able to help children in need—and support their mom along the way. We’re forever grateful for this opportunity.”
For Jennifer and her family, what began as a leap of faith became a lifelong bond—a reminder that love, once planted, grows into something beautiful and eternal.
November is Adoption Awareness Month
November is Adoption Awareness Month, and a reminder about the hundreds of 500 foster kids in Michigan’s Foster Care system in need of adoptive parents.
Samaritas is encouraging those who want to adopt to work with Legacy Adoption Services (LAS) to give a child a ‘forever home.’ Prospective parents and other advocates are encouraged to visit LASAdoption.org to learn more about the process.
LAS is one of Michigan’s largest private adoption providers. Facilitating adoptions from foster care since 1977, LAS began as a collaboration between Samaritas and Wellspring Lutheran Services and has grown over the years to include adoptions from the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
Services offered through LAS include adoptive parent support group sessions, specialized parenting training, family matching and recruitment program, and dollars for minor home projects to help adoptive parents meet licensing regulations. Funds also cover student camps and sports team fees, birthday gifts, and special needs items for youth awaiting adoption.