Ventura County couple shares their foster-to-adoption story

Ventura County couple shares their foster-to-adoption story to raise awareness for National Adoption Month, November 2017

Local family shares their experience welcoming 15 children and youth in need into their hearts and home, inspiring others to consider foster care and adoption.

(VENTURA COUNTY, Calif.) — Oxnard couple Victor Pulido and Pedro Virgen knew they wanted to have children and raise a family together so they began exploring options. Pulido and Virgen learned about Ventura County’s Foster VC Kids, researched the program and immediately started their training. In 2014 the couple completed their certification and received their license on a Friday, “and the following Tuesday we were placed with two siblings!” recalls Virgen.

Since then, the couple has fostered 15 children, ranging in age from newborn to teen. “Sometimes the kids are with us just a few weeks, and some have been with us for 18 months,” said Virgen, adding how wonderful it is to see “such a difference that love and attention can make for these children…to make them feel loved.”

At age 6 months, baby Mattias entered foster care and became eligible for adoption. The baby was placed in Pulido and Virgen’s home where he received comfort, medical care and plenty of adoring attention. “We immediately fell in love with him,” explained the couple. Working with Foster VC Kids, Pulido and Virgen began the Resource Family training process, and completed the adoption this year, welcoming Mattias into their family. In the meantime, the couple has also continued to foster children in need, including a 16-year old girl who had been staying at Casa Pacifica, a local congregate care facility, and was clear in her desire to stay with a family. She has found acceptance and support within a family while she is temporarily separated from her parents, a critical step to healing.

Currently, Ventura County has approximately 900 children and youth in need of support, guidance and hope to help them thrive while separated from their families of origin. These children are waiting for a foster home with resource parents who will make either a short-term or long-term commitment to provide a safe, stable and loving environment. Some of the children in most need of support and nurturing are youth over the age of 9, infants/ children with medical needs, and siblings who have been separated.

Pulido and Virgen encourage friends to contact Foster VC Kids because “the rewards are amazing. Transforming the lives of children and families is incredible, giving them the feeling that they do have a future.”

To learn more about helping local children and youth feel safe, cared for and supported, visit www.fostervckids.org and view the online information session. Foster VC Kids provides many resources including classes, training, mentors, access to services and more to ensure our county’s children and youth have the quality care they need to thrive at home, in school, at work and in our community.

About Foster VC Kids, a program of Ventura County’s Children and Family Services

Recognized as a best practices leader statewide in the family recruitment and support component of child welfare, Foster VC Kids provides resource families with ongoing support services, trauma-informed training, and mentorship to enhance the safety, permanency and well-being of Ventura County’s youth and families. Learn how Foster VC Kids is making a difference throughout Ventura County, www.fostervckids.org. ###