From Foster to Forever

November 7, 2024

Diamond’s Mission to Provide Stability for Youth in Foster Care

Diamond has always valued the love and connection that comes with being from a big family. But as an adoptive mother of five children under the age of 13, even she couldn’t expect the path she took to create a family of her own. She credits UMFS for helping her achieve the beautiful family she has built.

After studying social work at Christopher Newport University, Diamond worked as a behavioral health counselor at an elementary school. This job helped her realize how much she cared about children. It also exposed her to the realities of the foster care system.

“I had kids in my program that would move to a different household, and it would break my heart to see how they were uprooted from their school,” Diamond said. “That was when I decided I wanted to be a foster parent to give kids stability until they could reunite with their family.” 

In 2014 at the age of 22, Diamond bought her first house with three bedrooms. With the extra space, she felt like it was the perfect time to start fostering.

Diamond’s goal was to foster one child, so she was surprised when the Newport News Department of Social Services reached out to see if she was open to taking in a sibling set. Eventually, her first placements were able to return to their family, but sibling sets would hold a special place in her heart.

Over the next decade, Diamond fostered 15 children. The children lived with her for anywhere from a few weeks to several years. Since she began her fostering journey ten years ago, she’s never had an empty nest.

As a foster parent, Diamond learned that reunification goals were different for every child, and not all of them could return to their biological families.

“They brought so much joy to our household. That’s how I ended up adopting five kids.”

“I just wanted to be their forever family, I wanted them to be stable,” she said. “I created special bonds with the kids, and I wanted to continue to be their mother. That’s when I decided that adoption was the right choice for me.”

Not long after she adopted her first sibling set, Diamond received a call to foster another sibling set of three. She then went on to adopt those children as well.

“My big heart just wanted to accept them, I couldn’t say no,” Diamond said. “They brought so much joy to our household. That’s how I ended up adopting five kids.”

 

Like many foster and adoptive families at UMFS, Diamond understands the importance of keeping siblings together.

“Growing up in a household full of siblings, I wanted them to have that same love.”

Diamond still has room in her heart and home. She is now in the process of adopting a one-month-old infant.

After finalizing the adoptions of her first five children with multiple celebrations and a cruise, Diamond was referred to UMFS for post-adoption services. These services offered at UMFS include case management, education, and peer support groups to help adoptive families thrive long-term, all free of charge for adoptive families in Virginia.

“UMFS has been so amazing,” she said.

At UMFS, we believe it takes a village, and our network of donors, volunteers, and community partners help families like Diamond’s to carry the load.

“During the holidays, which can be a triggering time for the kids, UMFS has fun activities like arts and crafts and pizza nights. They’ve also helped fulfill the kids’ Christmas lists.”

UMFS connected Diamond with other adoptive families. “I’ve met some wonderful people through the support groups that I communicate with on a regular basis,” she shared.

“Anytime I’ve had any questions, they were able to support me. Ms. Vineta also reaches out often and is so supportive.”