JEFFERSON COUNTY, Texas — One Jefferson County family is excited to say even in the midst of a pandemic, they were able to adopt their son all by virtual meetings.
Th Springer family has fostered 20 kids over the last four years, and has adopted two. Now they're encouraging other families to look into fostering.
Shane and Lori Springer say it was a calling.
"We didn't really have any intention of adopting, but I believe God had other intentions for us," Shane Springer said.
They adopted 3-year-old Gavin in November.
"I don't know where we would be if we hadn't fostered the last four years," Lori Springer said.
On April 22, 2-year-old Jacob officially became a Springer.
Since courts are closed because of the pandemic, Jacob's adoption was finalized over a Zoom meeting.
Jayde Springer is Shane and Lori's biological daughter, and she says blood or not, Gavin and Jacob have always been her brothers.
"Him being finalized, it's a really good feeling, like he's finally my brother it's finally the real deal," she said.
Jacob has lived with the Springers since September of 2018, and has been part of the family ever since. Shane and Lori say making it official was just the last step. When their adoption manager offered Zoom as a way to finalize the adoption, they didn't hesitate.
Yolanda Hopkins was the Buckner International case manager for the Springers' adoption.
"That just shows when our local community is willing to provide permanency for our children, we'll make the extra effort to have that happen," Hopkins said. "We have such a great number of children, in our local area who need families, who will provide the nurture that they need."
Both Yolanda and the Springers agree, not even a global pandemic should stop families from fostering and even providing a forever home.
"So I would just say that if families are able to step up right now because they've been blessed by a home that can care for children, because adoption's not always the end goal, but just for a child to have a home is the goal," Lori said.
Buckner International is holding free online meetings about foster care and adoption. You can visit Buckner.org to learn more.
