National Adoption Month: Scarlet and Teresa’s Adoption Journey

Written by SAFE

November is National Adoption Month, a time to recognize the families that form through patience, care, and the shared belief that every child deserves safety and stability. At SAFE, we believe every child deserves a home where they feel safe, valued, and loved. Through our foster and adoption program, we witness every day how compassion and commitment can change the trajectory of a child’s life.

One of those stories belongs to Scarlet and Teresa, two sisters whose journey to their forever family is nothing short of extraordinary.

At just two years old, Scarlet was removed from her biological parents following serious allegations of domestic violence and sexual abuse. During the course of the case, her sister, Teresa, was born. That July, both girls were briefly reunited with their parents; Teresa was only five months old. But after a week, they were removed again when their biological father tested positive for methamphetamines.

That’s when Katherine and Monica Bose stepped in.

In their care, Scarlet and Teresa found safety, joy, and the stability they had longed for. The girls flourished in the Bose household; home visits were filled with laughter, warmth, and play. For the first time, they could simply be children; free to explore, to giggle, to feel safe. To Scarlet and Teresa, Katherine and Monica weren’t just foster parents. They were family.

But the road to adoption was not an easy one. The case stretched on for years. Scarlet and Teresa continued to have visits with their biological mother, visits that often led to confusion and emotional upheaval. During that time, another sibling was born, one the Department chose not to remove from the biological home. For Scarlet and Teresa, knowing they had a sister they couldn’t live with added another layer of heartache to their young lives.

Through all of it, Katherine and Monica never gave up. They showed up for every court date, every call, every tear-filled night. They advocated for the girls at every turn, determined to give them the stability they needed and deserved.

And after six long years, their dedication was finally rewarded.

This month, Scarlet and Teresa were officially adopted by Katherine and Monica.

The adoption hearing was emotional and full of joy. The joy radiating from Katherine and Monica was matched only by the excitement and happiness on the girls’ faces. Surrounded by family and friends, the room overflowed with laughter, tears, and Monica’s signature humor. It was a celebration of love, resilience, and belonging.

“Watching these girls finally gain permanency with the only parents they’ve ever truly known was an honor. Katherine and Monica didn’t just provide a home, they gave Scarlet and Teresa a future filled with love, stability, and hope,” said JayCee, Director of SAFE’s Foster and Adopt in Austin program.

At SAFE, we know that stories like Scarlet and Teresa’s are made possible through the dedication of foster and adoptive parents, case managers, advocates, and community partners who believe that every child deserves a safe place to heal and thrive.

Families like these don’t happen by accident. They happen because people choose to care, to show up, and to keep showing up, no matter how long it takes.

This National Adoption Month, we honor the families who make that choice.