There are about 400,000 children ranging in age from infancy to 21 in the U.S. foster care system. Of those children, about 100,000 are awaiting adoption. Approximately 20,000 youths leave the system each year once they reach between 18 to 21 years depending on their state. Unfortunately, these kids stand less of a chance of success, with many facing homelessness, and unemployment. Luckily for 12-year-old Andrew, that potential fate is no longer a threat. (1, 2)

Foster Family Care Since Age 6

Andrew, who was 10 at the time, was taken in by Dominique and Kevin Gill in 2018. His parents’ parental rights were terminated when he was just 6-years-old and he had been in state custody ever since. (2)

As a child left behind when his four siblings were adopted, he was alone and waiting for a loving family to find him. When he arrived at the Gill’s home, he was quiet and withdrawn. (2)

Withdrawn From Foster Family

“Andrew has four siblings, and they were all adopted right away,” says Dominique, 27. “During his first week with us, he sat in his room with the door closed and looked at old pictures. He didn’t want to talk.” (2)

When he first arrived Dominque says Andrew would “scream and behave badly” trying to push the family away. “He’d start shouting, ‘Just let me move out!’ But I refused to give up on him,” Dominique says. “I was like, ‘We are going to get you together.’” (2)

Best Friend And Brother

Eventually Joc, Dominque’s son asked Andrew if he wanted to play video games. Andrew nodded his head and the two became fast friends. (2)

Although the family took Andrew in to provide a home for him until he was adopted, it soon became apparent he had in fact found his forever home with them. “Our mindset was we’d help him until he found his forever home,” says Dominique. “But after the second adoption didn’t work out, I realized God put Andrew in our lives for a reason. God made sure the adoption didn’t work out so he could come back to us.” (2)

History Of Fostering Kids

Dominque, whose family fostered many children as she grew up, wanted to help kids the same way her parents had. However, Andrew’s case touched the family’s heart. When they asked Andrew to join their family permanently, the boy broke down in tears. (2)

Andrew Thanks Foster Family

“From the beginning, Andrew has always said, ‘Thank you for accepting me,’ ‘Thank you for not giving up on me,’” says Dominique. “People would read his file and get scared away. But I knew he was a good child who had experienced a lot of trauma.” (2)

Since that day, the Gill family helped Andrew to control his emotions with love. However, the diversity of their family draws attention when the family is out and about. “Because Andrew is white and we’re Black, people will stare at us,” says Dominique. “They’re confused.” (2)

Love Has No Color

Andrew, however, sees nothing odd about his new family. In fact, when he filled out the form asking about the race for his preferred family, he chose “no preference”. (2)

“Love doesn’t have a color. (Andrew) is our son just like Joc is our son,” says Dominique. “He’s a part of us.” (2)