Blog

June 28, 2021

Meet the van Amstel Family

In June, we celebrated Father’s Day and Pride Month. The van Amstel family consists of two fathers, two sons, and a few four-legged friends! This is their story.

Louis van Amstel, a professional dancer and choreographer best known for his appearances on Dancing with the Stars, married his partner Josh in 2017. The couple chose to adopt through foster care with help from Raise the Future.

Louis & Josh


The first youth to join Louis and Josh’s family was Daniel, a 12-year-old who says he used to be afraid he wouldn’t ever be adopted. Louis describes Daniel as having a lot of spunk and strong leadership abilities. Daniel shares, “My dad says I should be a lawyer because I argue a lot.”

After adopting Daniel, the family started the process again – this time welcoming Jonathan into their home. “He is kind, and he is the listener,” Louis says about his 11-year-old son, who enjoys coloring and singing.

Daniel & Jonathan


Louis shares his advice for anyone who wants to adopt: “Do it. Do not hesitate, because it will change your life for the better.” He also highlights the importance of adopting older kids, saying, “They give you so much joy.”

Click here to watch the van Amstel family's video.