Child Protection United States Project #60937

Finding Forever Families for Youth in Texas

by Kidsave International

Finding Forever Families for Youth in Texas

Project Report | Oct 15, 2026
The Power of Showing Up for Foster Youth

By Aime Turberville | Development Coordinator

As of 2022, there were over 10,000 kids waiting to be adopted from foster care in the state of Texas. Many of these kids are older and have spent years moving from placement to placement within the system. Kidsave’s Weekend Miracles program works to change this.

In Houston, Kidsave creates opportunities for older youth in foster care to build meaningful, long-term relationships with adults. In 2025, Weekend Miracles Houston (WMHOU) served 49 youth, 27 of whom found forever families and a sense of belonging. So far this year, the program (WMHOU) is ahead of last year, having served 59 youth to date and helped create 12 permanent connections. Because these bonds form over time, Weekend Miracles champions older foster youth by giving them a voice and a choice in their journey toward saying “yes” to family and lifelong support.

This innovative approach helps shine a light on kids who otherwise may have aged out of the system alone; kids like Jada, who found her forever family throughthe Weekend Miracles program. After spending years in foster care, she met host volunteers Jenilyn and Austin at a WMHOUevent. Over time, their relationship grew to become a connection like no other for Jada, and when Jenilyn and Austineventually asked Jada how she felt about being adopted, she realized they were committed to becoming her family. For a young person who had experienced so much uncertainty all her life, their commitment gave her something she had been waiting for: a permanent place to call home.

At a July Connection Quest event, youth and prospective families played games and worked togetheron activities to complete a final quest. The event led to a hosting match between 17-year-old Isaiah and WMHOU host volunteer LaRita, who has since begun advocating for him in his search for anadoptive family. Isaiah has not given up hope of finding his forever family, and this new connectionrepresentsan important step toward that goal.

Kidsave also recognizes that not every young person feels comfortable opening up in a large group, which is why WMHOU has held strategic events for children and families who want to connect in a more intimate setting. In October, Kidsave held a strategic event at Momentum Indoor Climbing in Katy, TX. The event gave youth and families who had expressed interest connecting further the opportunity to spend more time getting to know each other.Bonding happened through shared experiences (for many, a first-timeexperience) in indoor rock climbing and a shared meal. For someone like Zaiden, one of the program’s more reserved youth, the smaller setting created an opportunity to open up and engage with prospective families. By offering different ways for youth and adults to spend time together, Weekend Miracles helps young people build relationships at their own pace and decide whom they feel comfortable welcoming into their lives. For youth who have experienced multiple placements and uncertainty, having an adult who continues to show up can be the beginning of a relationship that lasts well beyond foster care.

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Jun 18, 2026
Weekend Miracles Houston: Every Child Deserves a Family

By Development Team | Kidsave Staff

For thousands of children in foster care, growing up without a permanent family is a heartbreaking reality. In Texas alone, more than 10,000 children were waiting to be adopted from foster care in 2022. Many are older youth who have spent years moving from one placement to another, often believing they have been overlooked simply because of their age.

Kidsave is changing that story.

Through our Weekend Miracles program, children ages 9–17 have the opportunity to meet caring adults in relaxed, family-friendly events where authentic relationships can grow naturally. Rather than waiting to be chosen through traditional systems, these young people are seen, celebrated, and given the chance to build meaningful connections that can lead to lifelong families.

One of those children was Jada.

Jada spent nearly her entire childhood searching for a place to belong. Although she was adopted at the age of three, the home she entered lacked the love every child deserves. When that adoption disrupted, she returned to foster care, where she spent the next 14 years moving between placements before eventually living in a shelter as she approached adulthood.

Like many youth in foster care, Jada struggled with feelings of rejection and wondered if she would ever find a family who truly wanted her. She questioned her worth and whether she would ever experience the unconditional love so many children take for granted.

When Jada first heard about Kidsave's Weekend Miracles program, she was skeptical. It sounded too good to be true. But after much encouragement, she decided to attend a Meet the Kids event.

She was nervous. At 17, she was the oldest youth there and feared she had already missed her chance.

Then she met Jenilyn and Austin Flitton.

The conversation came easily, and for the first time in a long time, Jada felt genuinely seen. After the event, she overheard the couple asking about her and wondering when they would see her again. That simple moment gave her hope.

She continued attending Kidsave events, eager to spend more time with the Flittons. Their relationship grew naturally until one day they asked Jada to become part of their family.

"The moment that changed everything," Jada recalls, "was when they sat me down and told me they wanted to adopt me. They were both crying, and I was overwhelmed by how important I was to them. I cried too. For the first time, I truly felt seen, chosen, and loved."

In 2024, Jada officially became a Flitton.

Today, her future looks dramatically different. She is an honors student at Texas A&M University—a remarkable achievement considering only a small percentage of youth who experience foster care go on to attend college. More importantly, she now has the unwavering support of a family cheering her on every step of the way.

Jada hopes her story inspires others to consider opening their hearts to an older child still waiting for a family.

"Every kid deserves a family to cheer them on, to help them dream bigger, and to see the possibility inside them."

Her story is proof that it's never too late for a child to find belonging.

Your support makes these life-changing connections possible. Every donation helps Kidsave host Meet the Kids events, recruit and prepare prospective families, and provide ongoing support as relationships grow. Together, we can ensure more children like Jada are seen, chosen, and loved—because every child deserves the chance to grow up in a permanent, caring family.

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Feb 17, 2026
A Lasting Connection: A Houston Weekend Miracles Success Story

By Development Team | Kidsave Staff

Renee and Jonathan Omoyeni knew in their hearts that they wanted to make a difference in the life of a foster youth — they just weren’t sure where to begin. After hours of online research, they discovered Kidsave and felt strongly that welcoming an older youth into their lives was the right path forward. With hopeful hearts and a sense of excitement, they attended their first Kidsave Houston Weekend Miracles event in January 2023.

Houston Weekend Miracles is a Kidsave program that brings together older youth in foster care and caring adults through monthly weekend events. These events provide a relaxed, no-pressure environment where meaningful connections can form naturally over shared activities and conversations. The program allows adults to build relationships with youth without the immediate expectation of adoption, honoring each child’s voice and comfort level while creating opportunities for lasting support.

It was at that first event that Renee and Jonathan met Veronica. From the very beginning, they sensed something special about her and felt drawn to learn more about who she was.

Veronica was clear early on that adoption was not something she wanted, but that did not deter the Omoyenis. They remained committed to building a relationship and becoming a consistent source of support in her life. At Kidsave, a child’s voice is always honored, and Veronica’s wishes were fully respected. Not wanting to be adopted does not mean not wanting connection. For Veronica, the Omoyenis became something just as meaningful as family — a trusted support system grounded in care and commitment.

Quiet and reserved by nature, Veronica needed time to feel comfortable and open up, and the Omoyenis gave her that space with patience and understanding. As Renee shared, “This felt like the perfect time for us to make an impact where she could truly see and know that she would always have a safe space with us.”

Over time, their bond grew into a deep and meaningful relationship. The Omoyenis supported Veronica both academically and spiritually, encouraging her to explore her interests and dreams. With their support, Veronica attended a summer engineering camp at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she experienced college dorm life, met new people, and imagined new possibilities for her future. Throughout the experience, she frequently reached out to Renee and Jonathan for guidance, encouragement, and reassurance. They were a steady presence whenever she needed one. It was during this time that Veronica discovered her passion for science and began planning a future as a meteorologist.

Because Veronica expresses her emotions quietly, the Omoyenis sometimes wondered how their support was impacting her. Renee reflected, “I may think in my mind that it wasn’t meaningful to her, but then later we’ll hear something that shows it was — she just expresses emotions differently.”

Today, the impact of this relationship is clear. Through the Houston Weekend Miracles program, Veronica gained a consistent, caring support system that continues to encourage her growth and confidence. She is pursuing her dreams with Renee and Jonathan cheering her on every step of the way. As for the Omoyenis, the experience has deepened their appreciation for parents and foster parents alike. Their relationship with Veronica has been truly life-changing — built on love, trust, and unwavering support — making them a family in every sense of the word.

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