Older youth and young adults in foster care face a much lower adoption rate than younger children. Because of this, teens waiting for adoption often need to wait for a long time. The most recent national data show:
There are thousands of older teens waiting for adoption, and our partner Timothy Hill Ranch is committed to caring for them while they wait. Located in five states, Timothy Hill provides Christ-centered residential and workforce development to at-risk youth and young adults. For one young man, Chandler, Timothy Hill gave him the belonging of a family as he dreams of a permanent family.
When Chandler first arrived at Timothy Hill Ranch, he operated in survival mode. He always had a good heart, but he kept it guarded after past hurts. Simple things—like brushing his teeth, keeping his room tidy, or expressing how he felt—didn’t come easily. He lacked the consistency and support he needed to learn those habits. Still, he deeply longed for a family to call his own.
“Family is someone that can be there for you when you’re in a low spot in life or be there when you’re struggling with something,” Chandler says.
However, from the beginning, Chandler’s quiet way of dreaming big stood out to the Timothy Hill staff. As the months went by, he began to find his footing at the Ranch. The structure, encouragement, clear expectations, and people who consistently showed up helped Chandler start to believe in himself. The Ranch staff began to see changes: brushing his teeth without a reminder, speaking up when something bothered him, and helping others with tasks he used to avoid.
Then, Chandler experienced an amazing opportunity to compete in the Special Olympics. Chandler earned the silver medal in both shot put and long jump. He walked away with a deep sense of pride that only comes from doing something you never thought possible. Along the sidelines, other youth from Timothy Hill Ranch stood cheering, clapping, and tearing up at Chandler’s success.
At Timothy Hill, Chandler moved from survival to growth, learning to care for himself and others. He’s open in ways he never used to be—to correction, encouragement, and the possibility that his future can look different than his past. As his hope grows, so do his dreams. One day, Chandler wants to open a farm-to-table restaurant—a place with long wooden tables, fresh food grown on site, and people gathered like family. He wants to create a picture of peace, purpose, and belonging. It’s a reflection of his biggest dream: a family of his own.
“I haven’t been adopted,” Chandler says, “and I need that family love and nurture. I need someone to be there for me and say, ‘I love you’.”
Chandler also dreams of writing an autobiography, a full account of where he’s been and where he’s going. He hopes that by telling his story, he can encourage other teens waiting for adoption. He wants them to know that growth is possible, healing is real, and their spark isn’t lost—it just needs people like the staff at Timothy Hill to fan the flame. Chandler looks forward to finding that in his future family, too.
“It would be less stress, less anxiety, and just more peaceful and helpful,” Chandler says. “And it would make me happy every morning.”
Like many teens waiting for adoption, Chandler’s search for a family isn’t over. Partners like Timothy Hill Ranch provide essential services to help youth and young adults mature, heal, and prepare for adulthood. Individuals can make a difference, too. Mentorship programs connect youth with adults who listen, offer guidance, celebrate wins, and encourage their growth. Local organizations host events like foster care graduations or birthdays, and they need volunteers.
Lastly, adoption is a beautiful way to give a child in crisis a family. There are thousands of teens and young adults struggling as they wait for someone to see them and bring them home. If you’re thinking about expanding your family through adoption, don’t wait: youth like Chandler are ready to come home.
Finding permanent placements for kids helps us end the child welfare crisis in America. That’s why it’s part of our solution to end the crisis, the Well-Being Support Ecosystem™. Learn more about how it works today!
