A Family of the Heart: Elías’ Story

Five years ago, we reached a major milestone in The Hope Effect’s history—signing our first contract with the government of Sonora. In February 2020, we became the first nonprofit in Sonora approved to provide family-based care, marking the beginning of a new era in orphan care in the state.

 Since then, you have transformed the lives of so many orphaned and vulnerable children. Because of you, the foster care movement has grown tremendously, and it continues to gain momentum.

 In Sonora, our family care program is called Familias de Corazón—Families of the Heart. Over the last five years, nearly 70 families have opened their hearts—and their homes—to care for children who desperately need the love of a family.

 Thanks to you, children like Elías are growing up with the love, stability, and security they need and deserve.

ELÍAS’ STORY

At just one month old, Elías was without a family. Born to a mother struggling with addiction, he was placed into an orphanage almost immediately after he was born.

At a time when he should have been receiving endless snuggles from his family, Elías had no visits from his mother or any other relatives. He lived in the orphanage for almost a year, without the warm embrace of a family.

In many other locations around the world, Elías would likely remain in institutional care, facing an uncertain future. But thankfully, there was another option—a better option—for this beautiful little boy.

Just before his first birthday, Elías was welcomed into a foster family. There, his life changed forever.

A Family of The Heart

From the start, Elías’ foster family gave him the individual attention and personalized care every child needs and deserves. His foster parents noticed he had dry skin, thin hair, and congestion, so they took him to a pediatrician, who diagnosed him with allergies. It was a simple condition with a simple solution—but only attentive parents could have recognized it and gotten him the help he needed.

With proper treatment, Elías’ health improved within the first week. His allergy symptoms decreased, and his hair became thicker and more abundant.

Elías’ foster family also noticed he disliked diaper changes and bath time, and he had trouble falling asleep. They diligently established a routine and practiced calming techniques to reassure him. With time and patience, Elías became more comfortable with these daily routines.

His family also created new habits that continue to strengthen their bond. Every afternoon, they take Elías on a walk to the park when his foster sisters return from school. His foster father meets the family there after work. This sweet family routine has become a favorite part of their day—a wonderful experience that Elías would never have known if he had remained in institutional care.

GROWING STRONGER EVERY DAY

In the following weeks, Elías became more curious, wanting to explore the house and familiarize himself with his new environment. He walked with the help of push toys, and his muscle tone and motor skills improved dramatically.

After just two months with his foster family, Elías was already walking without support. With practice and encouragement, his walking became more secure, and he learned to change direction easily... and even started to run!

In a sign that he was more comfortable and secure, Elías began to sleep longer and more soundly. He made progress with his diet, eating new foods, using a sippy cup, and feeding himself.

CURIOSITY AND CONFIDENCE

After ten months in family care, Elías has made tremendous progress in every developmental area. Thanks to the care and nutrition he is receiving, he has gained weight and grown almost five inches!

He is a curious child who loves exploring, and he enjoys taking things out of drawers, closets, and cupboards. He plays independently but also loves interacting with his foster family and other children. In addition, he refuses to be carried by strangers, identifying the members of his foster family as his safe people.

His foster family has also seen his unique, playful personality come out. He loves music and dancing... and he even pretends to play guitar. His joy and love of life are evident as he has grown into a confident, happy child.

We are incredibly grateful that thanks to the love of a family, Elías knows he is safe, valued, and loved. His “family of the heart” has changed his life forever. Thank you for making it possible!

We can’t wait to see more lives transformed in Sonora—and across the globe—because of you. Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans... because every child deserves a family.

*The child’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.