Malia didn’t set out to become a foster parent to a teenager.

In fact, her journey began in a completely different direction. She went to school to become a teacher, earned her credential, and imagined a future in the classroom. But when that path didn’t unfold the way she expected, a chance conversation changed everything.

“I ended up in a conversation with someone who had adopted,” Malia recalls. “He was sharing his experience, and I thought—maybe that’s something I can do.”

That moment led her to pursue social work, eventually bringing her to a career supporting children and families. But it also led her somewhere more personal—into the life of a teenager who needed a safe place to land.

An Unexpected Yes

Malia was volunteering with a youth group when a teenage girl she knew began struggling at home. One day, after things escalated, Malia offered something simple:

A place to stay—for just a few weeks.

What started as a temporary solution turned into something much more. The teen stayed through the summer, briefly returned home, and then came back again—this time for good.

By March, Malia had filed for legal guardianship.

“She was 17 when she came to live with me,” Malia says. “She was already so close to adulthood—but still needed support, stability, and someone in her corner.”

The Beauty of the Teen Years

Fostering a teenager comes with its challenges—especially when trauma is part of their story. But Malia is quick to point out something many people overlook:

The rewards are immediate, tangible, and incredibly meaningful.

“It is hard, caring for a teenager,” she says. “But you get to see the rewards so much sooner.”

In just two years, Malia watched this young woman reach milestones that changed the trajectory of her life.

“I got to see her graduate from high school, get her first job, get her driver’s license, and start college—all within a short time,” Malia shares. “When you foster a baby, you wait 16 to 18 years to see that. With teens, you get to be part of that transformation right now.”

There is something powerful about stepping into a young person’s life at such a pivotal moment—helping them cross the bridge into adulthood with support they may have never had before.

“You get to see them walk into the world and become who they’re meant to be.”

Connection, Growth, and Real Impact

Like any parent-child relationship, Malia’s experience wasn’t without its difficulties. Navigating independence, trust, and the effects of trauma required patience, learning, and grace—for both of them.

But even in the hard moments, there was growth.

“I was learning things at work and bringing them home,” she says. “And in the good moments, we could talk about it. She could understand how her experiences had shaped her.”

That connection—those conversations, those shared moments of understanding—are what made the relationship meaningful.

And while their relationship has changed over time, Malia still reflects on the experience with clarity and purpose.

“I did the best I could with what I knew,” she says. “And it was a really good experience.”

Why Teens Need You

Teenagers in foster care are often the most overlooked—and the most in need of connection.

They’re on the edge of adulthood, navigating identity, independence, and healing—all at once. And having a consistent, caring adult in their life during that time can make all the difference.

Malia’s story is a reminder that fostering a teen isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about showing up.

It’s about offering stability during a critical window of time.

And it’s about witnessing transformation—sometimes faster than you ever expected.

A Final Word of Encouragement

For anyone considering fostering a teen, Malia offers this:

“Yes, it’s hard. But the reward is getting to see who they become—and knowing you were part of that.”

Kaitlin Earnest, Contributor