Prepare yourselves for a touching story that might bring a tear to your eye.
In 2015, Jason Smith, a school principal, encountered a sixth-grade girl named Raven Whitaker sitting outside his office, awaiting discipline for throwing yogurt at a classmate during lunch.
At that moment, Raven was just 11 years old, and Smith described her as a “sweet” and “innocent” child. As he spoke with her, he asked, “If you were at a restaurant, would you do that?” To his surprise, Raven admitted she had never been to a restaurant. In an interview with WTHR, she revealed that she had spent much of her life in the foster care system, facing challenging circumstances, and was currently residing in a group home.
Smith felt an immediate connection to her situation. “I realized she just needed a hand, someone to support her,” he told Good Morning America. “It seemed like she had never had the opportunity for things to go in her favor.”
Upon returning home, Smith discussed the possibility of fostering Raven with his wife, Marybeth. This was a sensitive topic for them, as they had longed to have children, struggled with infertility, and had experience fostering other kids.
Recognizing her husband's passion for helping Raven, Marybeth agreed to consider it. They decided to initiate the fostering process, and by June 2015, Raven moved into their home. On November 3, 2017, as Raven was about to start high school, the Smiths formally adopted her.
Initially, Raven found it a bit unusual, but she quickly felt at home with the Smiths. “They made me feel incredibly welcome, like I was already part of the family. They provided everything I needed without even realizing I would be there permanently. They just knew what to do,” she reflected.
Raven often says she “always knew” that the Smiths would become her forever family. With their support, she defied the odds. Now 20 years old, Raven is attending college to study social work and sharing her story to inspire others facing similar challenges.
This heartwarming journey shows the miracles that can occur when children are placed in nurturing environments. As Jason Smith, now a proud dad, stated, “There are no bad children… with the right opportunities, support, love, and care, all children can succeed.”