Single Mom Who Grew Up in Foster Care Adopts 6 Boys: ‘They Give Me Purpose’
A Wisconsin mom of two became a mom of eight when she adopted six boys last week, more than three decades after she was placed in the foster care system.
Jessica Benzakein of Milwaukee told Today she was 12 years old when she was placed in foster care after her mother lost custody rights. At the time, a caseworker warned Benzakein she was going to have a difficult time finding a family to adopt her because of her older age.
Given her age, it was a rather tricky spot to be in: she was too old for most prospective couples to want to adopt her, but too young to independently move out on her own.
Needless to say, the six years before she turned 18 involved a lot of moving around, a lot of being uprooted and passed around from foster home to foster home.
Sadly, Jessica never found a place where she felt completely at home, and as a result carried with her a sense of loneliness.
Which is why, as per Today, she felt a responsibility to foster children herself when she got older.
Determined to make a difference for youth in foster care, Benzakein took in six boys — siblings Will, 17, Carter, 14, Sidney, 13, and Buddy, 8, and brothers Kendrich, 6, and T.J., 4 — about five years ago, according to WTMJ.
The boys instantly became close with Benzakein’s biological children, Eli, 14, and Brenna, 9, whom she shares with her ex-husband.
That’s why Benzakein made things official on Friday by legally adopting all six boys, and ensuring they all will be in each other’s lives for a long time to come.
Source:
people.com, en.newsner.com
