For kids who frequently dream of having their own forever homes, the foster care system can be quite challenging. Good thing there are still lots of loving families who open their doors for kids in the foster system to find a forever family.
Meet Roman
Roman Balassaitis is an 18-year-old young man who experienced a “miracle” hours before he turned 18.
His Story
Since he was 11 years old, he has moved through 19 different homes in the foster system.
The Balassaitis Family
He was 12 years old when he first stayed with the Balassaitis family as a foster kid.
Sad Reality
According to the University of Florida, the state has a law that ends the possibility of state-sponsored adoption at the age of 18, which usually results in homelessness and an uncertain life, a fact that affects 60% of the state’s foster youth.
Foster Parents
After adopting seven more kids and fostering another 20, Renee and Brad Balassaitis thought Roman had a strong personality that deserved a forever home.
18 Soon
Years later, Roman was already turning 18, which meant he was about to get kicked out of the foster system, so Renee and Brad started processing his adoption papers.
A Miracle
Roman’s adoption took place inside the Clay County Historic Courthouse on a Tuesday afternoon via a virtual hearing just hours before he turned 18.
Wanted And Chosen
Roman is now the 7th child Renee and Brad had adopted out of foster care, joining their two biological children. “I know he’s very relieved. We’re relieved. He’s going to do so well. He just needed to know people believed in him, and he was wanted and chosen,” said Renee.
Watch how Roman became an official part of the Balassaitis family in the video below.
Watch Video Here:
