By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
Houston Miracles continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of older children in foster care by the power of connecting them with supportive adults who can become mentors, advocates, and even permanent families. From June to December 2024, over 1,800 families showed interest in fostering or adopting, with 81 attending orientations and 34 submitting applications. During this period, 22 kids took part in Houston Miracles, and 14 formed meaningful relationships that could lead to permanency. For the entire fiscal year, 61 kids have been served, and 25 have found lasting connections, further demonstrating that every step brings these children closer to the stability and support they truly deserve.
Every event we organize connects kids and prospective families in a natural, enjoyable, and interactive manner. During our Career Day, children had the chance to explore various professions through hands-on activities, such as trying out VR simulations of oil drilling, practicing stitches on a banana, learning military procedures, setting up cameras like professional photographers, and even cutting hair on mannequins. These activities not only ignite curiosity but also boost their confidence and introduce these kids to possibilities they may have never considered before.
Our Garden Day at Enchanted Gardens brought the kids back to nature, where they got their hands dirty planting flowers and vegetables. They learned about soil, the science behind plant growth, and the importance of caring for something from the ground up. It’s an annual favorite, not just because it’s fun, but because it gives kids a sense of responsibility and accomplishment by watching something grow because of their care.
One of the most heartwarming events of the year was our Holiday Celebration. The room was filled with joy as kids decorated snow globes and ornaments, iced cookies, and took photos to frame as gifts. A warm holiday meal brought everyone together, and when it was time for presents, the excitement was incredible. Each child got to choose gifts in a number-drawing game, ensuring that everyone left with something special as this event is more than just a celebration—it’s a reminder that they are loved and thought of during the holidays.
Beyond the events, the most powerful moments come when a child finds a family. Since 2021, we have served four transgender teens, each with different journeys toward finding permanency. Last year, one of them was adopted by a Kidsave host family, proving that when the right connections are made, the impact lasts a lifetime. Four other children, including two brothers, were also matched for permanency through the program.
One story stands out—a young man in the highest level of care in Texas. Kidsave rarely accepts youth at this level due to the restrictions that can make it difficult to form connections, but when he was referred to us, we knew we had to try. After six months with his host, his care level improved dramatically, allowing him to move in permanently. That host family later adopted him, giving him not just a home but a future filled with love and security.
Houston Miracles is changing lives in ways big and small, and none of it would be possible without the dedication of our families, volunteers, and supporters. Every moment of connection, every event, every step toward permanency is a step toward giving these kids the futures they deserve. There is still so much work to do, but with every child who finds a mentor, an advocate, or a family, we are proving that miracles do happen.
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By Kidsave Staff | Development Team
By Tiffany Chiang | Development Intern
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