May is National Foster Care Month, a time to celebrate families who open their hearts and homes to children in need — and to inspire others to do the same. Today, we’re honored to share the story of Jeffrey and Johann, a couple who are an “open book,” and whose journey to parenthood was filled with laughter, resilience, and deep love.

A Journey Fifteen Years in the Making
When Jeffrey and Johann first met in 2010, something clicked instantly. “We first met in 2010. So we’ve been together 15 years in September,” Jeffrey said. Their connection quickly deepened into a partnership built on humor, patience, and shared dreams. Very quickly in fact – after 4 days they moved in together, and 15 years later are still going strong as ever!

Finding The Village
The dream of becoming parents was always close to their hearts. When they found The Village Family Services, they knew they had found more than just an agency — they had found a team who believed in them.

“Honestly, the support was really great,” Jeffrey shared. “Our caseworker was always there. Anytime we had a question or didn’t know what to do, she would guide us through it. We never felt like we were alone in the process.”

They drove from their home in Orange County to North Hollywood for support groups and meetings, building community and relationships with their case workers and other advocates within The Village. From training sessions to those late-night questions that pop up when you’re caring for a child for the first time, The Village staff walked alongside them every step of the way.

Meeting Their Son — and Growing Their Family
Nothing could prepare Jeffrey and Johann for the moment they met their son, Noah, for the first time. “The first time we met him, we just… we just knew,” Johann said.

Although things didn’t always go according to plan, Jeffrey and Johann knew they had found their son. Shortly after Noah moved in, they learned he had a twin sister, Noel — and a younger sister, Naomi — still in foster care. “He turned whiter than me when he found out,” Jeffrey joked.

They fought hard to keep the twins together, advocating every step of the way. A few months later, they adopted Noah and Noel. Yet their journey wasn’t complete. Jeffrey and Johann continued working to reunite all three siblings. Two days before Christmas, they welcomed Naomi into their home. “We told the twins, ‘We have a Christmas present for you,'” they recalled. “It was the best gift we could give.”

Jeffrey remembered thinking that even if Naomi’s adoption didn’t work out, Noah and Noel would know they fought hard to make sure their baby sister was with them. Luckily, it did work out. A year and a month later, they finalized Naomi’s adoption, completing their beautiful, blended family.

One of their favorite memories was celebrating their first family vacation together. The kids had never been on vacation or on an airplane before. “We rented a limo to take the kids to the airport,” they recalled with a smile. “It made Noah, Noel, and Naomi feel so special and excited — like it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

For Those Thinking About Fostering
If there’s one thing Jeffrey wants people to know, it’s this:

“If you’re thinking about it, do it. Seriously. These kids, they just need someone to love them and be there. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to try.”

 

Their family wasn’t built in a day. It was built moment by moment, and it all started because two people decided to open their hearts.

If you’ve ever considered fostering, adopting, or supporting children in need, now is the time! Learn more about fostering, adopting, or supporting foster youth on our website or email Maraly at [email protected]

Because somewhere out there, a child is waiting for someone just like you.

To see even more of this beautiful family’s story, you can watch their Adoption Video on YouTube. Thanks for sharing your story, Jeffrey and Johann!