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In the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, behind every statistic is a child with a story too often marked by loss, separation, and uncertainty. Tonight, there are more children in the metroplex coming into foster care than there are homes and beds available. These are children waiting for a safe place to rest their heads, a warm meal, and, most of all, a sense of belonging. For many, that wait stretches on, and for siblings and teenagers, the wait can feel endless.
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
Every year, thousands of children in North Texas are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. In 2023 alone, the Dallas region saw over 18,000 reports of child abuse, with half of all child fatalities linked to neglect. When foster homes aren’t available, children are forced to sleep on cots in CPS offices or are split from their brothers and sisters; sometimes forever.
Statewide, only about 57.7 percent of siblings in paid foster care are placed together, a number that has declined slightly over the past year. That means nearly half of sibling groups are separated, compounding the trauma of removal with the heartbreak of losing their closest family bonds.
The Invisible Children: Siblings and Teens
While every child in foster care needs love, the greatest gaps are for sibling groups and teenagers. The system struggles to find families willing to take in more than one child, let alone three or four. As a result, siblings, already reeling from the loss of their parents, are torn apart, sometimes seeing each other only on birthdays or holidays, if at all. The pain of this separation can last a lifetime.
For teenagers, the picture is just as bleak. Many foster parents hope for babies or young children, leaving teens to bounce between placements or, worse, to age out of care without ever finding a family. The need for foster homes for teenagers has grown exponentially. These youth are often the most vulnerable, carrying the scars of trauma and the weight of feeling unwanted.
Stories That Break and Heal the Heart
Valerie’s Story:
Valerie Ramirez entered foster care with her siblings. The fear of losing them was worse than the fear of losing her parents. “We were each other’s lifeline,” she recalled. When they were separated, Valerie described it as “losing a piece of myself.” Years later, after being adopted together, she said, “Having my siblings with me saved my life. We healed together.” Today, Valerie is a college graduate, a leader, and an advocate for keeping siblings together.
Nikki and James:
Nikki grew up in foster care and vowed her home would be different. She and her husband, James, have fostered four teens, including a sibling group. “The [siblings] staying together meant a lot,” Nikki shared. “They only had each other and they were already taken from their brother. I didn’t even know her name, her age. I just said ‘Okay, no problem.’” When the siblings left, James admitted, “We cried. It was a concern about their future. Watching them leave, it’s not an easy thing”.
JJ’s Journey:
JJ and his siblings were neglected and left to fend for themselves. At 11, JJ was caring for his younger brothers and sisters. After entering foster care, they moved six times in six months. The only constant was each other—until they were split up. “I wish my foster parents would have invited my siblings over for holidays, birthday parties, or random barbecues,” JJ said. The separation left wounds that never fully healed.
Ray and Bobby Williams
For 23 years, Ray and Bobby Williams have opened their home to over 213 children, many with terminal illnesses or special needs. Their home is full of rest and dignity, built on the belief that “hope rises from hardship.” Through hospital stays, heartbreak, and healing, the Williams family says that their faith has sustained their ability to transform lives. According to them, their foster journey is simply the daily decision to say “yes” to love.
Why Keeping Siblings Together Matters
Research is clear: children placed with their siblings are more likely to avoid placement disruptions and have a greater chance of reunification, adoption, or guardianship. Positive sibling relationships reduce behavioral problems, anxiety, and depression. Siblings are a child’s first friends, their secret keepers, and their protectors. When the system separates them, it does more than split a family; it fractures their sense of identity and hope.
Federal law now requires “reasonable efforts” to keep siblings together, but systemic barriers remain: not enough homes, bureaucratic red tape, and a lack of awareness. The result? Too many children lose not just their parents, but each other.
The Plight and Promise of Teens in Foster Care
Teens in foster care face unique challenges. They are old enough to remember everything, to feel the sting of abandonment, and to worry about their futures. Many have been moved from home to home, never staying long enough to unpack their bags or trust the adults around them.
But teens also bring resilience, humor, and a desire to belong. They need guidance, stability, and someone to show up for their graduations, first jobs, and birthdays. As some say, “If there is a fear factor, let it go.” “We were all teenagers. Teens are us. Teens are in your schools, teens are around the corner from you, in coaching, in sports. It’s easy to think about the babies, but let’s not forget our teenagers need the same support… and there are a lot of people out there who have what they are looking for.”
DFW by the Numbers
- 11,000+ children are in foster care in the Dallas-Fort Worth area right now.
- 30,000+ children are in foster care statewide in Texas.
- Over 20,000 Texas children are waiting for foster or adoptive homes.
- 57.7 percent of siblings in paid foster care are placed together statewide.
- Thousands of teens are waiting for a home; many will age out of care alone.
Refuge House: Where Every Child Finds a Home in the Heart
At Refuge House Inc., the mission is simple but profound: to serve today’s forgotten youth and families by creating a stable, nurturing environment and guiding them toward a successful tomorrow. Founded on traditional values and a belief that “a home is in the heart of every child,” Refuge House walks with foster families every step of the way, providing 24/7 support, training, and a community of care. Operating in several counties across the DFW area, some of the counties Refuge House serves are Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Navarro, Grayson, Fannin, Denton, and many more.
“Every child who comes through our doors carries a story of heartbreak, but also a spark of hope,” said Michele Gorman, PhD, CEO of Refuge House. “At Refuge House, we believe that hope grows in the soil of belonging. When you open your home to a child—especially a sibling group or a teenager—you are not just giving them a roof, you are giving them a future. The heart of every child is looking for a home, and sometimes, the heart of a family is waiting to be found in the children who need us most.”
A Call to Action: The Village Needs You
There is a saying: “It takes a village to raise a child.” In DFW, the village is missing too many houses, too many hearts willing to say yes. The need is urgent, the stakes are high, and the impact is life-changing.
Imagine a sibling group, arms wrapped around each other, stepping into your living room for the first time; nervous, hopeful, and clinging to each other for comfort. Imagine a teenager, suitcase in hand, daring to believe that this time, maybe, someone will stay. Imagine being the reason a child believes in family again.
How You Can Help
Become a foster parent and welcome a child, sibling group, or teen into your home—Refuge House will guide and assist you throughout the process. You can also make a difference by providing respite care or serving as a babysitter, offering foster families much-needed support and breaks. Help raise awareness about the critical need for foster families, especially those willing to care for siblings and teens, and encourage others to get involved.
A Final Word
Tonight, as you tuck your own children into bed, remember the thousands of children in DFW who are waiting for someone to say yes. Their futures depend on the kindness of strangers willing to become family. Their stories are not finished; they are waiting for a new chapter, a new beginning, and a home where they can heal, grow, and belong.
If you feel your heart tugging, don’t ignore it. The need is real, the children are waiting, and Refuge House is ready to help you answer the call. Because in the heart of every child is a longing for home; and in the heart of every community is the power to give it.
To learn more about fostering or to begin your journey, contact Refuge House Inc. today. Be the family a child is waiting for. Be the difference.
Address: 5301 Alpha RD Dallas TX 75240
Phone: 972-662-5112
Website: www.refugehouse.org
Email: info@refugehouse.org
The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to raise awareness, fund research, and serve those affected by sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC).
In memory of Blake Louise Wilson, SUDC Foundation ambassador Michele Gorman, PhD, is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro—carrying with her a goal of raising $25,000 for vital genetic testing that could help others find answer.
Your help is absolutely critical. No parent should lose a child and not understand.
Every dollar counts—and every step up that mountain will fund much-needed research.
The deadline to donate is August 30, 2025.
Follow along at rememberblakey.org
Learn more at sudc.org
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Refuge House was founded on traditional Christian values and works hard to keep things “family focused”. Our staff is a team of excellence, comprised of those committed not just to their roles in the agency, but to each of the children and families served.