An Arkansas boy finally found his forever home after going through 25 different foster homes over four years.
Luke Kissinger, 11, was officially adopted by his new family last Tuesday, May 14, in Boone County, Arkansas.
The fourth-grader’s past was marked by frequent moves, jumping from one foster home to another, often due to a lack of available foster homes and behavioral problems due to the trauma he experienced.
Despite his challenging past, Luke’s mother Cassie said her son has shown remarkable resilience and has bonded with his new family.
“Luke has faced a lot of heartbreak and trauma, but he has the biggest heart, he has worked very hard to improve his behaviors and catch up in school, and he is absolutely thriving,” his mother, Cassie Kissinger, told Dailymail.com.
Luke Kissinger, 11, was officially adopted by his new family last Tuesday, May 14, in Boone County, Arkansas.
Luke (pictured, front left) now has a new family, including a new brother and sister.
‘In the past he had a hard time finding joy, but with us he has always been very happy and full of life. Since the adoption, that joy is even more evident,” he added.
Luke’s new parents, who opened their home specifically for adoption, watched a video he made through the nonprofit Project Zero in March 2023. Luke wasn’t the first child they met, but once they met him , they knew it was theirs.
“We knew instantly he was ours,” his mother recalled. ‘Dad and I finally met him in June at a networking event and the bond with him was instant. He met his brother and sister for the first time in July and they all became fast friends.
Now, Luke’s life has been transformed overnight from a life filled with trauma and instability to a life of joy and security.
‘Luke has bonded very well with all the family members. “He loves spending time with dad and joking, mom and his sister love him, and he loves playing soccer in the backyard with his brother,” he told Dailymail.com.
His supportive classmates celebrated the happy day as they watched the touching moment the court confirmed his adoption via livestream.
“That day was really special because now I don’t have to worry about moving,” Luke told the local media outlet. KAIT8.
Luke, who said it was “exhausting” jumping from house to house, said he was excited to have his classmates supporting him and seeing his dreams come true.
His classmates are seen celebrating alongside him as they watched the touching moment via livestream.
“That’s really exciting,” Luke told the outlet, saying it felt “really good” to see his classmates cheering him on and to have a place to finally call home.
The adoption process took just over a year to become official.
But Luke’s mother said it was worth every minute. She said it was a day she will never forget.
Cassie was touched by the reaction of her 14 family members and Luke’s classmates as they witnessed the special moment.
He said it was an emotional day, but in a positive way.
“Everyone started crying in class and cheering that their teachers were there,” Cassie said.
Cassie was inspired to adopt when she saw a video from the nonprofit Project Zero, an organization with the mission to “diligently and enthusiastically promote adoption” through the foster care system with the ultimate goal of “finding a eternal family for every child”. what are you waiting for.’
She met Luke for the first time in March 2023 and knew immediately that the boy was for her, she said.
According to a friend of Cassie’s on Facebook, when her family went to pick up the fourth grader, he said ‘!!!!!!!!’
Luke (left) was overjoyed when he realized he was finally going to have a stable family and home. It’s unclear why the child was in the foster system to begin with.
Luke said it felt “really good” to see his teammates cheering him on and to have a place to finally call home (pictured with the judge).
Luke was delighted that his classmates were supporting him and said it “felt really good”.
Cassie (in the middle with Luke) was touched by the reaction of her 14 family members and Luke’s classmates when they witnessed the special moment.
His new brother said he was excited to hear the news. “I think it’s very exciting,” Ayden Looney said. Expressing similar enthusiasm, his sister Alena Looney said: “I’m glad he’s my brother, I love him like a brother.” (Pictured: Luke in the middle between his sister and his brother)
“Until Tuesday, I don’t think he believed that was going to happen forever,” Cassie said.
It took some time for Luke to adjust to his new life, but Cassie said her son finally understands that this is his forever home.
His new brother said he was excited to hear the news.
“I think it’s very exciting,” Ayden Looney said.
Expressing similar enthusiasm, his sister Alena Looney said, “I’m glad he’s my brother, I love him like a brother.”
It was a big week for Luke, who not only found a family, but also received the fourth-grade Chamber of Commerce award at Brookland Middle School for overcoming “personal hardships.”
It was a big week for Luke, who not only found a family, but also received the 4th grade Chamber of Commerce award at Brookland Middle School for overcoming “personal hardships.”
It is unclear why Luke transferred foster families so frequently; However, there were 4,199 Arkansas children in foster care as of March 31, 43 more than at the end of 2022, according to the Arkansas Advocate (pictured: Luke with his new father).
It is unclear why Luke transferred foster families so frequently; However, there were 4,199 Arkansas children in foster care as of March 31, 43 more than at the end of 2022, according to the Arkansas Defender.
Arkansas has a staffing shortage within the government agency that runs the state’s foster care system, according to the Division of Children and Family Services’ quarterly report.
This has led to higher caseloads and an increased turnover rate.
Turnover typically occurs within two years of hire, according to the DHS Deputy Director of Youth and Families.
However, the state still saw an overall decrease of 325 children in foster care since June 30 of last year, according to the report.
