Cruz Holiman Adoption
Donation protected
Cruz Zayas is exceptional! As a young boy Cruz and his friends were often befriended, given money, and enticed by gang members. As Cruz got older he was able to realize what their true intentions were and that a gang life was not a path he wanted to take. Not worrying about popularity or what was cool, he made a commitment to himself to stay out of gangs, work hard, and live a meaningful life.
As Cruz's middle school graduation was approaching he reached out looking for a better school, more stable home, and safer town he had been long hoping for. Even though my husband, Matt, and I were only 24 and 25 we had previously adopted through foster care, and had several other foster placements, so we were approached by family and church friends with this opportunity. We wondered, "Why would this teenage boy want to move away from his family and start a new life." Matt told me, "I think he wanted a chance; a chance to make something of himself, a chance to get away from the inevitable gang life that was awaiting him, a chance to be a child for even just a few short years before adulthood."
Understanding that we were not the typical age of parents of a teenager, we still felt that is was the right choice for Cruz to join our family. We anxiously went with our, at the time, 5 year old son Nathan and 2 year old daughter Kay. After losing so many "siblings" through foster care they were eager to meet their hopefully permanent new brother. Only one week after Cruz's arrival we received a call from our previous social worker. Our children's biological mom had just given birth to a new baby boy and they were giving us the opportunity to adopt him as well. I was shocked, within almost a week we went from a house hold of four to a household of six; I couldn't believe I was going to have an infant and a high-schooler at the same time! No matter the difficulties and challenges that we knew were inevitably ahead of us, we could not say no to who already felt like our baby boy. In the moment I thought the timing was terrible and exhausting, but looking back on it now I see that it was a gift from heaven. Cruz and Seth (the first baby we got to name, yay!) have an exceptional bond. All of the children are extremely close and we often get compliments on how loving they are to each other, but Cruz and Seth are remarkably close. Cruz often asked to rock Seth to sleep, feed him his bottle, and help him learn. This special time together not only helped them build an unbreakable bond, but also helped me tremendously when at times I couldn't even stay awake through one bottle feeding.
Unlike the majority of adoptions (and our previous ones) Cruz's unique case requires multiple lawyers and agency in multiple cities and country's causing the cost to become significant. Through savings, modest budget, personal loan, and recent fundraising we have been able to come up with 90% of the money, $24,000, but we just need a little more help to make it all the way. Any and all donations are extremely appreciated; there is no amount too small to make a difference for our family!
I believe my husband has said it best, "I can't say exactly when I decided in my mind about adopting Cruz, but I think it's because ever since I first met him I have felt a fatherly love and gratitude for his loving spirit and good example. To me he is and always will be my son. Maybe not on paper for now, but in my heart and in his heart I know that we are family."
As Cruz's middle school graduation was approaching he reached out looking for a better school, more stable home, and safer town he had been long hoping for. Even though my husband, Matt, and I were only 24 and 25 we had previously adopted through foster care, and had several other foster placements, so we were approached by family and church friends with this opportunity. We wondered, "Why would this teenage boy want to move away from his family and start a new life." Matt told me, "I think he wanted a chance; a chance to make something of himself, a chance to get away from the inevitable gang life that was awaiting him, a chance to be a child for even just a few short years before adulthood."
Understanding that we were not the typical age of parents of a teenager, we still felt that is was the right choice for Cruz to join our family. We anxiously went with our, at the time, 5 year old son Nathan and 2 year old daughter Kay. After losing so many "siblings" through foster care they were eager to meet their hopefully permanent new brother. Only one week after Cruz's arrival we received a call from our previous social worker. Our children's biological mom had just given birth to a new baby boy and they were giving us the opportunity to adopt him as well. I was shocked, within almost a week we went from a house hold of four to a household of six; I couldn't believe I was going to have an infant and a high-schooler at the same time! No matter the difficulties and challenges that we knew were inevitably ahead of us, we could not say no to who already felt like our baby boy. In the moment I thought the timing was terrible and exhausting, but looking back on it now I see that it was a gift from heaven. Cruz and Seth (the first baby we got to name, yay!) have an exceptional bond. All of the children are extremely close and we often get compliments on how loving they are to each other, but Cruz and Seth are remarkably close. Cruz often asked to rock Seth to sleep, feed him his bottle, and help him learn. This special time together not only helped them build an unbreakable bond, but also helped me tremendously when at times I couldn't even stay awake through one bottle feeding.
Unlike the majority of adoptions (and our previous ones) Cruz's unique case requires multiple lawyers and agency in multiple cities and country's causing the cost to become significant. Through savings, modest budget, personal loan, and recent fundraising we have been able to come up with 90% of the money, $24,000, but we just need a little more help to make it all the way. Any and all donations are extremely appreciated; there is no amount too small to make a difference for our family!
I believe my husband has said it best, "I can't say exactly when I decided in my mind about adopting Cruz, but I think it's because ever since I first met him I have felt a fatherly love and gratitude for his loving spirit and good example. To me he is and always will be my son. Maybe not on paper for now, but in my heart and in his heart I know that we are family."
Organizer
Carly Holiman
Organizer
Hanford, CA
