For Susana, saying yes to fostering older youth came with real uncertainty. When we first shared her story in 2024, she spoke about her concerns over meeting the emotional needs of youth who had already experienced so much loss and instability — and whether she could truly become the steady presence they deserved.
“They came [to us] at an age when it’s difficult,” she shared. “The oldest was already in her teen years, and they had spent so much of their lives taking care of themselves and those around them at such a young age.”
Nearly two years later, Susana reflects on the journey they’ve taken together as a family and the incredible growth she’s witnessed in the girls, who are now high-schoolers.
The younger sister is already pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse through a health care program at her high school. Every day, she proudly wears her nursing uniform while learning hands-on skills that prepare her for the future. After graduation, she hopes to attend community college while continuing to work toward her nursing career.
“The younger one has really embraced school and her future,” Susana said. “She has a diverse group of friends, and she is opening herself up more and more.”
Her older sister’s journey looks different. With limited access to education growing up in Guatemala, she had to learn how to read and write on her own — a determination Susana deeply admires. Instead of attending school, she shouldered the economic burden at a young age, which deprived her of much of her childhood. Her strong work ethic and desire to attain financial independence is a testament to her lived experiences.
“She’s worked all her life, so not being able to work right now has been really hard for her,” Susana explained. “But we keep reminding her that education matters, and she has so much potential.
As the oldest sister waits for her work permit, Susana continues encouraging her to stay in school and keep building toward her future.
“She is smart. They are both smart,” Susana said. “School is still a struggle for her though, but she keeps going.”
While the girls continue to grow into young adults, Susana shares that helping them reclaim the childhood they missed continues to be a challenge.
“When children have had to survive on their own for so long, it’s hard for them to trust that someone else will take care of them.”
Over time, trust has grown within their family. Susana and her husband worked hard to create consistency, structure, and stability.
“If I said no, they would go ask my husband,” she laughed. “But early on, they understood we were on the same page.”
That partnership, she says, has been essential.
“If you are doing this as a couple, you and your husband or wife need to be on the same page,” she shared. “There will be difficult moments. Kids will test boundaries. But consistency and love matter.”
Susana says fostering has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
“It’s not the easiest route,” she said. “But it is worth it to know you were part of someone’s journey and made a difference during a very difficult time in their life.”
Now retired, with her husband preparing for retirement soon, Susana looks forward to watching the girls continue building independent lives — whether through school, careers, or eventually families of their own.
“They will always be part of our lives,” she said. “We are the closest family they have, and we will always be there for them.”
During National Foster Care Month, we call on families of all types to consider opening their homes and hearts to children and youth in need of safety and belonging.
“There are so many children looking for love, stability, and someone to believe in them,” Susana said. “You may not realize it at first, but you can become that safe place for somebody.”
For Susana, fostering was never about changing someone’s entire story overnight. It was about accompanying children during one of the hardest chapters of their lives and helping them believe in a future again.
“In the journey of life,” she reflected, “you were that refuge for somebody.”
Interested in becoming a foster parent and providing a safe, loving home for children and youth in need? Learn more about becoming a foster parent with Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area.
