Ka’Tai’Lin (5), Q’iyonna (7) and Ke’ontae (9) spent over four years in adoptive foster care before finally finding their forever family. Tesia Weaver became a foster parent through Trinity Youth Services because she believed it needed to be done. “There are so many children in the world who need help. It just needed to be done,” she said. She began by fostering Q’iyonna.
Tesia saw Q’iyonna’s brother waiting for her after school. “They hugged, and I knew they needed to be together,” she said. She contacted their social worker and asked what it would take to keep them together. Tesia was informed that Q’iyonna didn’t have just one brother, but two and in order to keep them together, Tesia was asked if she would consider adopting.
She knew the children not only needed each other, but they needed her in order to keep them together. She rose to the occasion and decided to adopt all three children. When they heard they would be reunited, “they were so excited,” Tesia said.
On the day of the adoption, Tesia explained she was feeling a multitude of emotions, including “excited and overwhelmed,” she said. “It has been a long time coming. We’re finally here! We’re all excited and happy to be here.” There have been challenges along the way including helping the children understand the steps that must be taken and comforting them with reassurance that they do in fact have a family.
Tesia has found it a challenge explaining to the children it’s almost here, “It’s a process, it takes a few years,” she said. Ke’ontae was teased at school for being a foster child, but Tesia made sure to help him understand that he is part of a family and has a loving home.
Throughout the process, Tesia had the support of her mother, two young adult children and her church. The family has utilized counseling provided by their church and their pastor, Dwayne Jones, has stepped up to be a positive and supportive influence in the children’s lives. The children help at the church with small tasks and Pastor Jones recently taught Ke’ontae how to play the drums. Their pastor attended the adoption for moral support and commented, “I’m happy for them. They have been looking forward to this for a long time.”
As they waited for their hearing, the children began playing with math flash cards, quietly reading, and reading to each other. “The children are very smart,” Pastor Jones said.
Tesia’s mother began looking through photos on her phone of the children since the time they were placed with the family. She shared stories and giggled at the sweet things the children had done. During the hearing, she was moved to tears.
Tesia looked proud of her growing family as she sat down with the children at the judge’s podium, asking the boys to kindly, “Sit up straight, please,” to which the children promptly complied, remembering their manners.
To anyone considering adopting or foster parenting, Tesia says, “Go for it. There is a feeling of completion for all and the children no longer feel abandoned.”
If you are inspired by the Weaver Family’s story, call Trinity Youth Services at 713-957-8442, to begin your own foster or adoption story. Trinity Youth Services, nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation, has helped over 60,000 children find a safe, loving home. Their knowledgeable and caring staff provide round the clock support and 70% of families stay with Trinity long term.
Over 400,000 children each year are not able to live with their families as the result of abuse, neglect and abandonment. Since 1966, Trinity Youth Services has answered the call to this societal challenge by providing the safety and care children need. Trinity strives to be the number one choice in providing quality care for children and their families, with one goal in mind: permanency for children and families so they can create a better future.
Visit www.TrinityYS.org or call 713-957-8442 to learn more.
