by Danielle Collins

It’s 1998. Three-year-old David knows he finally has it good. He and his older brother, Armando, have found a family who will take care of them forever. After all, that’s what the social worker said, and that’s what the judge said. Most important of all, that’s what his new mom and dad promised, and he trusted them, like no one he had loved before.

David and Armando were adopted out of foster care by Tammy and O. J. Vallejo, a couple who had been married for a decade before deciding adoption was best for them. Within a few days of moving in, the boys were relaxed and secure enough to call them “Mom” and “Dad.” And even though Tammy and O. J.’s lives were turned upside down, they never doubted that these two little boys were meant to be part of their family.

“The social worker at Sierra Adoption Services really got to know us and understand what we were looking for,” explains O. J. “The first day we met the boys, it seemed like it was right.” O. J. and Tammy chuckle as they recall little David, shyly hiding beneath a table, wearing pajamas and green dragon slippers while eating a banana. The slippers were misplaced long ago, but the memory endures.

Fast-forward to Fall of 2007. David is now 15, and Armando just turned 16. They are a striking duo who both love school. David’s favorite class is Art Drama, where he acts out scenes from plays with his classmates. He is looking forward to being part of a larger production later this year.

Armando, now a sophomore, is taking Advanced Radio, a class where he has his own weekly show on the school’s radio station. While he doesn’t drive yet, he speaks enthusiastically about a road trip he wants to take before college, a way to “see what’s out there.”

One of Armando’s favorite memories is of a camping trip he took with his family in Washington, shortly after he moved in. He remembers a photograph from that trip that captured the happiness he felt in his heart—in it, his dad holds him in a big old bear-hug embrace as he plants a kiss firmly on Armando’s little cheek. Seeing that photo as a little boy, Armando knew he’d found home.

David and Armando are lucky to have been adopted. Almost fifty percent of foster children who emancipate at age 18 do not have a high school degree. Sixty percent are illiterate, and only five percent go on to college. Both David and Armando are looking forward to graduating from college and enjoying good jobs.

O. J. says, “Our job is to make David and Armando into productive, happy people, so they can go out into the world and give back.”

Adoption has transformed their lives, and Tammy is quick to offer these words of encouragement: “To all the people out there considering adoption, please consider it. It’s been a wonderful story. Our kids have been a blessing to us. There are so many kids that need forever families, and those kids that do get adopted—all these stories have happy endings.”

Sierra Adoption Services specializes in finding families for children considered more difficult to place – children with tragic histories of abuse and neglect. They have placed over 1,800 children since their inception in 1983. Headquartered in Sacramento, with offices in Nevada City, Auburn and Chico, they build nurturing permanent families.
Sierra Adoption Services’ success is based on community support. For information on adopting, volunteering or making a donation, please call 916-368-5114.