Help Me Bring a Child Home: A Journey of Love, Loss and Hope

As many of you know, I spent three years as a foster parent—three years filled with love, challenges, growth, and, ultimately, heartbreak. Without notice, Children’s Division made the painful decision to remove the children from my care, despite the deep bonds we had formed.

One of those children—a child I loved as my own—was in my home for 626 days, and I have missed him every single day since. I recently learned that he is once again in need of an adoptive home. His current placement is not interested in adopting him, and I am stepping forward with everything I have to fight for his future.

This is about more than just a home. It’s about placing him in a culturally appropriate environment, with someone who understands both his identity and the unique challenges that come with being culturally diverse. It’s about providing him with a strong medical advocate—someone who already has a deep, thorough understanding of his needs and a proven history of meeting them.

Fighting the system is not easy. It’s expensive. It’s emotionally draining. But it’s worth it—for him.

I’m humbly asking for your help to raise funds to cover the following necessary expenses:

Legal Fees: $7,349

Private Home Study: $3,000

Miscellaneous Expenses (travel, moving, lost income, etc.): $3,000

Total Goal: $13,349

Since moving to Illinois, I’ve begun rebuilding my life—working for CASA, coaching volleyball at both middle school and club levels, and finding healing with the support of my family and community.

This adoption is not guaranteed. But I am prepared to fight with everything I have—because every child deserves someone in their corner.

If you're able to donate, share, or simply send words of encouragement, I’d be forever grateful. Thank you for walking beside me on this journey.

With love and hope,

Lexie Stratton