Colorado Springs Family Shares Their Kinship Adoption Story

Three years ago Victoria was working as a technology teacher at a school in Colorado Springs. At that time, she learned three of her students, who she had always considered “a ray of sunshine,” would be leaving to go to a foster care placement in Denver. She and her husband Aaron decided to become a kinship foster care placement for the sibling group, helping them maintain connections with friends, family and their community. When the three siblings, Xavier, Carmen and Carlos, arrived at Victoria and Aaron’s home they got excited when they saw the Wonder Woman stickers on Victoria’s car and knew immediately they were with someone they knew, and who provided a safe space for them. Now, the three siblings are 14, 12 and 10, and were officially adopted by Victoria and Aaron in 2021. 

“We knew they were looking for a permanent home but decided we would wait until the kids got to know us before discussing adoption. But after living with us for six months the kids sat us down and said ‘we need to talk.’ They said ‘We’ve already decided that we don’t want to wait and we are just telling you that we’ve already picked you to be our parents,’” said Victoria beaming fondly when recalling the discussion. 

Victoria and Aaron are very proud of all their children’s accomplishments over the last three years, all of whom have seen great improvements in behavior and academics. Their oldest son Xavier, who enjoys playing sports, was behind in reading; he has since made great strides and is now a few years ahead in his reading level and also met his goal to make straight A’s. Their daughter Carmen, who wants to be a scientist when she grows up, has learned to embrace a positive-growth mindset to help her overcome her dyslexia and also become an accomplished reader and writer. Their youngest son Carlos excels in school, with a passion to learn Spanish and could talk for hours about his comic books. The siblings also have an older sister who is nearing high school graduation, who was also adopted by another family in the neighborhood, allowing the children to remain connected.

“They had never gone camping; now they are addicted. They had all these ‘nevers’ and so in the last three years we have done a lot,” said Victoria. “They’ve been to the Dominican Republic and we were able to take them to Disney World and to the ocean for the first time as a celebration after their adoption.”

The family also likes to spend time together playing board games. Victoria has started a tradition where everyone has to sing “We Are the Champions” by Queen to the winner of the game. The family is also very close with Victoria’s parents and sister. When they are at Victoria’s parent’s house they enjoy playing UNO Attack and bingo together. 

 “I get super competitive,” said Victoria. “I’m a golden retriever, I love everyone, but when it comes to games I am very serious. Aaron makes fun of me for my competitiveness,” she said.

As a multicultural family, they embrace all the cultures in their household. Victoria’s family is from Mexico and the children have embraced the Mexican culture they are being raised with, including incorporating cultural greetings into their day to day interactions with others, and exploring the food and language. Victoria and Aaron have also taken time to learn more about the children’s African American culture and connections.  Victoria says they especially enjoy going to community events and celebrating Black History Month every February. Victoria and Aaron also like to expose their children to other cultures through food, and all three siblings would tell you they love sushi and Indian food. 

“These kids needed someone, but we needed them too. They are remarkable children who have had experiences that make them seem 80 years old sometimes because they have such wisdom. They have taught me so much about life,” said Victoria of the advice she gives to others considering adoption from foster care.  “I would tell people to open your heart.”