Scott and Sarah have always felt a calling to foster children. The couple, who have six biological children, have fostered several times and hosted international exchange students. 

After living outside of Texas for several years, the family moved back to the Dallas area in 2017. 

“One Sunday, soon after moving back to Texas, Sarah mentioned getting back into foster parenting,” Scott said. “That very day, Catholic Charities did a presentation about International Foster Care after Mass. It felt like a sign.” 

CCD’s Children’s Services program provides daily care, supervision, and case management services to unaccompanied immigrant and refugee youth. The goal is to reunify children as quickly and safely as possible with their families, but when that is not possible, children are placed in CCD’s International Foster Care (IFC) program. Children in the IFC program are placed with foster families throughout Dallas. 

After learning about the program, Scott and Sarah quickly got involved. The family started fostering in 2017, and soon after, they opened their hearts and home to Fernanda. For the past six years, they’ve created a loving and supportive environment for her. 

At nine years old, Fernanda fled Angola and arrived in the United States in early 2018. Her journey led her to a shelter in Chicago, where she lived with other refugee children for nearly a year. 

“It was scary coming to America and living in the shelter,” Fernanda said in an interview with CCD last year.  

In September 2018, Fernanda came to Dallas and was placed with Scott, Sarah, and their children. 

Sarah shared that when Fernanda arrived, she quickly became a part of their family. Even on the first night, despite not speaking the same language, Fernanda and the children used non-verbal communication to play hide-and-seek together. 

“Scott, Sarah, and my foster siblings are great,” Fernanda said. “I’m really thankful to have their support.” 

“It is like God has always planned for our family’s path to cross with Fernanda’s,” Sarah said. “She has made me a better mother, and many times, I feel like she has blessed us more than we have been able to bless her. She is such a light,” Sarah said. “When she smiles, the whole room lights up.” 

Angela Fox, director of Children’s Services, said foster families like Sarah and Scott provide critical support to the children they serve. 

“Choosing to be a foster parent is one of the greatest gifts a family can give the children we serve,” Fox said. “Many of the children served in our program have not had nurturing, stable families nor parents that can help them achieve their dreams and full potential.” 

Sarah said that fostering with CCD has had a positive impact on her family, in part because she and Scott felt so supported. 

“Catholic Charities has always been extremely helpful,” Scott said. “The team has always been very proactive and given us all the resources we needed to be successful as foster parents.” 

Sarah encourages others to consider fostering through CCD, especially as the IFC program needs more foster families. 

“As Catholics, we are called to live out the Beatitudes. You do not have to travel far to make a difference; you can love and give from where you are. Reach out and inquire, and let God guide you.” 

For more information about Catholic Charities’ International Foster Care Program and how you can get involved, visit https://www.ccdallas.org/services/childrens-services/.