By Development Team | Kidsave Staff
When you hear the word adoption, what do you picture? Many people imagine newborns placed into loving arms. While that is one path, there are thousands of older children around the world growing up in orphanages and foster care, still waiting for a family to call their own.
Richard Cores and Guillermo Barbosa knew infant adoption wasn’t the right path for them. After seeing firsthand the challenges of newborn adoption through family experience, they began exploring options to adopt an older child or teen. That search led them to Kidsave’s Summer Miracles program.
Summer Miracles helps older children from Colombia find loving families in the U.S. through a unique hosting experience. For Richard and Guillermo, who both share Latino heritage, the opportunity to connect with a Colombian child felt especially meaningful. What stood out most was the chance to spend meaningful time together before making a lifelong commitment.
In 2024, they were matched with 13-year-old Juan Pablo, known as JP. During a winter hosting session, JP spent three weeks with them in New Jersey, celebrating holidays, meeting family, and building a genuine connection.
“We did Christmas with my family,” Richard shared. “It was incredibly special for JP to be included in those traditions.”
By the end of the hosting period, the bond was clear. Richard and Guillermo wanted JP to be their son and JP felt the same. After completing the adoption process, both families traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, for an emotional reunion before bringing JP home permanently.
Adjusting to family life came naturally. One meaningful tradition they created was sharing breakfast together every morning, something JP values deeply, even waking up early on weekends to keep it going.
JP has also thrived in school. Once struggling academically, he is now on the Honor Roll. With the stability and encouragement of a loving family, he sees new possibilities for his future.
Richard and Guillermo describe Summer Miracles as life-changing and emphasize the importance of connection, especially language. Being able to communicate in Spanish helped JP feel understood and supported from day one.
Today, JP is thriving, expressive, and happy, fully embraced by a family who chose him, and whom he chose in return.
Summer Miracles
Applications are now open for Summer Miracles host families. By opening your home, you can help an older child experience connection, belonging, and the possibility of a forever family.
Learn more about the program and take the first step toward making a life-changing impact by applying today.
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