“You [are making] a generational impact,” shares Staci.
Staci and Tony were inspired to begin their journey of fostering and adopting because Tony himself is adopted and wanted other children to experience the same love and joy he had as a child. Their family recently grew after they adopted Raphael, affectionately known as Ralphie, and they are currently fostering Ralphie’s sister, with plans to adopt her as well.
When Ralphie was born, he was referred to CPS because he had been exposed to drugs. While in the NICU, he was placed in foster care with another agency. He was later transferred to DePelchin where Staci and Tony worked closely with his former foster family to make his transition as smooth as possible. On his adoption day, Ralphie not only gained loving parents, two older siblings — Elijah and Lizzy — but a whole community as well. There were 30 people at the court to celebrate his big day!
“[Ralphie] has an entire village to surround him,” Staci shares. “He’s got a whole team for him — not just us — DePelchin and so many people.”
Ralphie loves dinosaurs and big trucks and has a “very adventurous spirit,” according to his parents. “[Ralphie’s] default is humor and joy,” Tony says.
We are so grateful for the crucial role you play in supporting children like Ralphie. Together, we are impacting generations, ensuring more children like him and his little sister are safe and healthy.
For friends like you, Staci shares, “We couldn’t have done this without the people supporting DePelchin.”
