One Belief. Thousands of Futures.
Since 1995, You Gotta Believe has stood on one unshakable truth:
No young person should age out of foster care without the unconditional, lifetime support of a family.
For three decades, we’ve made that belief real—through:
- Legal and moral adoptions
- Kinship and reunification placements
- Long-term parent training and post-placement support
Support Our Team
Become A Monthly Donor
Just $30 per month will provide ongoing engagement opportunities for youth in care to open their hearts to family
Give Big
One-time gifts of $300 or more support ongoing services to families, from introduction through adoption and beyond
Legacy Circle
Celebrate YGB’s birthday with a promise of a gift in your will or estate. Secure our future
1,000+ Parents trained to make an unconditional commitment to foster youth
Nearly 500 YGB foster youth connected to permanent families through legal or moral adoption
The Stories You’ve Made Possible:
Despite facing obstacles along the way, this new family navigated them together with the support of the staff at YGB.
Meet Mike, a YGB parent whose story embodies the belief that every child deserves unconditional love and support. Mike’s journey to fatherhood with YGB showcases the power of moral adoption—a lifelong commitment to a child, irrespective of legal status.
Initially, Mike embarked on the path towards fatherhood with YGB out of curiosity, attending parent training to understand foster care adoption and the needs of foster youth. However, as the classes progressed, he felt increasingly drawn to the idea of becoming a permanent parent to an older foster youth.
Aptly, nine months later, Mike made a profound commitment to a young man he had yet to meet. Despite the uncertainties, it felt right for Mike to take this step.
As they got to know each other, Mike embraced the challenges and joys of parenting. Despite facing obstacles along the way, this new family navigated them together with the support of the staff at YGB.
What makes Mike’s story remarkable is the expansion of his family. Before long, Mike welcomed his son’s 15 year old younger brother into their family. This young man had traveled to the US as an unaccompanied minor and reached out to Mike. YGB was able to connect the family to the Office of Refugee Resettlement who then facilitated an official placement. Despite a language barrier – Mike didn’t speak Spanish, and his new son didn’t yet speak English– they bonded instantly (thank you Google Translator!!)
In just a few years, Mike had become a parent to two young men and soon became a (young) grandpa to a grandson he adores. The boys’ biological mother is still in their country of origin, and the family stays in touch.
Mike’s family embodies the concept of moral adoption—a commitment to a child regardless of legal status. While it may not be legally binding, moral adoption carries immense emotional weight for families like Mike’s.
At YGB, we support and respect families who choose moral adoption. We believe that everyone deserves the unconditional support and love that comes with belonging to a family. Moral adoption is a testament to the power and beauty of family bonds.
Join us in celebrating Mike’s journey, his unwavering commitment to his kids, and the countless families embracing moral adoption with open hearts and open arms.
At YGB, we support and respect families who choose moral adoption. We believe that everyone deserves the unconditional support and love that comes with belonging to a family.
