Like many families, the structure of Sierra’s family is complex. Her blended family started when she became an adult foster provider to Christine who had aged out of the child foster system at 18. Adult foster care provides placements for people who benefit from living in a family setting and are unable to live on their own. “Christine will be with us for as long as she wants to be here,” said Sierra.
Sierra is also the guardian of her 12-year-old half-brother, Omar, who lives with her. And the family grew again when Sierra decided to adopt 13-year-old Katie, Christine’s biological sister, who was placed in foster care while awaiting adoption.
The first time Sierra met Katie, she felt the tug.
I just really connected with Katie when I met her, then I found out she needed a home. I immediately decided I was going to do whatever I could to bring Katie home – to have the sisters living under one roof.
Katie’s adoption was official in October of 2021. Today, she is adjusting well to life as a middle-schooler. She loves horseback riding and enjoys seeing her extended birth family members who are always invited to family activities. Christine, a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley, now has a job, which helped her pay for a trip to Graceland. And both girls enjoy having a little brother around to tease.
Sierra credits Children’s Home, as well as Katie’s guardian ad litem, for overcoming obstacles and delays as they pursued Sierra becoming Katie’s foster care provider. They were, of course, instrumental in guiding them through the adoption as well.
“They’re not all officially my kids,” said Sierra. “Heck, one of them isn’t even a kid! But they are definitely my kids.”
The ties that connect them are a source of joy for Sierra, who is grateful she can give her family a sense of permanence. “It’s just a great feeling to know we have the security of being a family for however long we are together.”
