How foster care can change the trajectory of a child’s life

In 2025, there were approximately 27,000 children in and out of the foster care system in Texas. Every child has a story, and every child deserves to be known and loved.

At just 8 weeks old, Noah entered the foster care system after his home became unsafe. Vulnerable and in need of stability, he waited for a family who could offer safety, consistency and support. 

Natalie and Daniel Joost had felt drawn to fostering for a long time. When they attended a Buckner foster care informational meeting, they immediately felt at ease. “Everyone was so kind and welcoming,” they shared. “We left feeling confident Buckner was where we were supposed to be.” Shortly after, Noah was placed in their home. 

Because of his early experiences, therapists cautioned the Joosts that Noah might face developmental delays. Natalie and Daniel fully stepped in — attending therapy sessions and learning how to support him at home. Slowly, they began to see remarkable progress. Noah started meeting milestones, surprising his care team and filling their home with joy.

Despite trauma, children can be given tools of resilience through a loving and stable home. So many children in the foster care system need consistent care to thrive.

Community made the difference for the Joosts. Their church family rallied around them, and their Buckner team provided steady guidance and encouragement. “Buckner has been incredible,” the Joosts shared. “We recommend them to everyone.” 

In September, the Joosts officially adopted Noah, beginning a new chapter filled with belonging and possibility. Today, he is thriving — curious, resilient and deeply loved.

Fostering is hard but necessary work. If you or someone you know is curious about becoming a foster family, Buckner would love to help you determine if it’s the right next step for you.

For many, fostering is not possible. But you can still support families like the Joosts as they love and care for vulnerable children by giving to the Buckner programs that make their fostering journey possible.

Learn more about how you can become a foster family, or how you can support Buckner foster families.