Finding Family While Holding on to the People You Love

For young people in foster care, finding the right family is not simply about identifying an available home. It starts with understanding who they are, what they have experienced and which relationships matter most to them.

That is the heart of child-focused recruitment at Raise the Future.

When Eli, a pseudonym used to protect his privacy, was referred to Raise the Future’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® program, his Youth Connections Advocate began by learning his story. She reviewed his case history, searched for relatives and other adults who had known him, and reached out to potential connections. Some were able to share family history, photographs and additional names that helped guide the search, even if they could not become permanent resources themselves.

At the same time, the work focused on preparing Eli for what permanency could mean. He wanted to be adopted, but his feelings were complicated. He was deeply protective of his younger brother and had built a close relationship with his foster mother. Her home was the first place he remembered feeling truly safe, and the thought of leaving her for another unfamiliar home was difficult.

Rather than rushing him or overlooking his quieter response, his Youth Connections Advocate took the time to understand what was behind it. Together, they talked honestly about his fears, the different ways family can look, and the relationships he wanted to keep. His team also worked with his siblings’ families to help preserve those connections, even though the children had different permanency plans.

Raise the Future worked alongside the child welfare agency as the search continued. Eventually, the agency identified a potential adoptive family for Eli and his younger brother. Through phone calls, visits and the family’s consistent efforts to build trust, Eli slowly began to feel more comfortable with the possibility of joining their family.

When Eli moved into his adoptive home, he did not have to leave every important relationship behind. He remained connected to his foster mother, who continued visiting him and supporting this new chapter in his life.

At Raise the Future, child-focused recruitment is about more than finding names or completing a search. It is about listening to each young person, understanding their fears and helping them move toward permanency without losing the relationships that have helped them feel safe and loved.

Next month: We’ll explore how family finding can help young people reconnect with relatives and other important people from their past.