Raise the Future believes every young person deserves to go through life knowing they have a caring adult by their side. We connect youth in foster care with adults they can rely on and surround those connections with support, so they last a lifetime. This is Selenas story.

Selena was 12 years old when she first entered foster care with her two younger siblings. Her siblings were quickly adopted, but the family did not feel that they could manage three children, which left Selena to spend the next several years bouncing from placement to placement, but never finding a permanent home. She felt scared and unwanted, and wondered if there was a family out there that would love her.

While in foster care, Selena was paired with a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), a young woman named Mary. Mary loved spending time with Selena, mentoring and supporting her and learning about her tumultuous story. She would often tell her mom, Laura, about the bright, creative teen she was working with and the bond they were creating.

At that time, the Guerra family had already begun becoming licensed foster parents, and the more Laura learned about Selena, the more she felt that they were meant to be in each other’s lives. "I knew from the start that I wanted to adopt Selena," Laura said. "I wanted her to have stability and a family she could always rely on. I didn’t want her to feel like this placement would end like the others."

With the help of Raise the Future, Selena and the Guerras got to know each other bit by bit. Selena’s Youth Connections Advocate at Raise the Future, Selenia, worked closely with the Guerras and Selena as they navigated the sometimes-challenging path toward becoming a family. Selenia listened to Selena and advocated for her needs, making sure Selena maintained access and connection to her biological siblings as she moved toward adoption with the Guerras. "Selenia was such a blessing," Laura said. "She was educated, patient, and always checked up on us, even after the adoption was finalized. That meant so much to me because no one else involved in the process did that."

In November 2023, Selena moved into the Guerra family’s home, and on August 26, 2024, their bond became official with the finalization of her adoption. “It was a big day for me,” said Selena. “I was nervous to go to court, but I felt so relieved afterward. I really wanted to be adopted.”

For Laura, the day was emotional and exciting, and she credits Raise the Future with helping the Guerras realize their dream of becoming Selena’s family. "[Raise the Future] helped with everything from adoption preparation to maintaining connections with Selena’s relatives. Our Youth Connection Advocate, Selenia, was always there for us—answering questions, advocating for us, and providing the support we needed, especially during difficult moments.”

Since the adoption, life has been full of joy for Selena and the Guerras. Whether they are singing together, gardening, or enjoying family gatherings around food, their bond continues to grow. On a recent trip to Mexico, where Laura and her husband grew up and got married, Selena met her new extended family for the first time, making memories that will last a lifetime.

Now 15, Selena has big dreams for her future. “I want to be an artist,” she says, with plans to paint, sketch, sculpt, and even carve wood. She looks up to her new adult siblings and dreams of following in their footsteps.

For Laura, the decision to foster and adopt has been deeply fulfilling. "Becoming a foster parent was something I felt drawn to after seeing Mary’s passion for helping youth in care," she said. "I’m so grateful we made this choice, and we’re thrilled to have Selena as part of our family forever."

Please join Raise the Future as we continue to connect youth, support families, and create hope. Donate online today at raisethefuture.org/donate by December 31st, and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $___ thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. Thank you for your support!