Ethan, who lives in southwestern Virginia, entered foster care when he was 10-years-old after witnessing his mom's battle with addiction.
Over the next few years, Ethan, with the help of his CCC case manager Brittany, navigated his way through foster care, looking for his "forever home."
In 2019, Ethan went to live with foster parents, Robert and Cathy. They welcomed him into their home for what was supposed to be a short-term placement.
"Ethan just clicked with them," said Brittany. "He even started calling them mom and dad after just a few weeks in their home—something he had never done before."
The feeling was mutual for Robert and Cathy and in the summer of 2020, they adopted Ethan and officially became a family.
"Ethan insisted that I be present at his adoption hearing since I had been one of the only constants in his life for so long," said Brittany. "And of course, I was thrilled to be there for his special moment."
Now, nearly a year later, Brittany still keeps in touch with Ethan, Robert, and Cathy
"Ethan is thriving with his new family," said Brittany. "After experiencing so many difficult years, it is such a joy to see him happy and settled at last.”