Thank you VALCOR for making this story possible to share.
1HOPE family and staff pray together at the
courthouse.
In 2014, 1HOPE only had three
church partnerships. These partnerships
have since grown to include more
than 30 area churches, which also
serve as training sites. However, John
says, the need is still great. “If every
area church took responsibility for just
one child, we would eliminate the
problem.”
“ If every area church took responsibility
for just one child, we would
eliminate the problem.”
— John Wilhelm, Program Director
1HOPE’s Christ-centered approach
was the drawing card for Laura and
Stephen Bergeron who chose 1HOPE’s
help after 11 childless years. “We just
knew we wanted to be parents, and we
had a lot of love to give,” says Laura.
While 1HOPE wasn’t the first
agency they scouted, Stephen adds, it
felt right immediately. “We had never
seen anything like it. They were building
an ecosystem for foster support
within the church community; they
shared our same heart.”
In 2017, the couple was licensed,
then received a six-week-old baby girl.
Now, at two years old, this little person
is their very own forever-child through
adoption. “We couldn’t imagine our life
“ This is the best experience and the
hardest, but knowing we’re
connected to 1HOPE has made all
the difference.”
— Laura Bergeron, foster and adoptive parent
without her,” says Laura. The couple
has fostered five kids total and
continues to open their home and
their hearts to kids in need. “We don’t
see this process as temporary and
give all of our hearts upfront to these
kids,” says Stephen. While packing up
a foster child’s belongings to return to
their birth families is never easy, the
couple has faith in the system and
God’s plan. “It’s not about our
feelings; it’s all about them,” says
Laura. “Some kids are going to need a
forever home like our daughter, and
some just need a home for a little bit.
But we have to focus on what’s best
for these little ones.”
The couple urges families considering
foster care not to let the fear of loss
to rob them of this joy. “A lot of families
don’t believe they can endure a child
going back home,” says Stephen. “You
don’t have to shoulder that alone; the
Lord helps, and 1HOPE is amazing. It
can be challenging, but 1HOPE has
helped us to live open-handed with the
kids we care for, and without judgment
for their parents.”
“ We have to focus on what’s best for
these little ones.”
— Laura Bergeron, foster and adoptive parent
“This is the best experience and the
hardest, but knowing we’re connected
to 1HOPE has made all the difference,”
says Laura. “They have an amazing
team that supports, loves, and lifts us
in prayer; they’ve become part of our
family, too.”
1HOPE for Kids
(formerly 4KIDS of South Texas)
www.1HOPEforkids.org
11550 W IH 10 Suite 225, SAT 78230
(210) 910-6533
Be A Light.
Pray. Ask God to call more people to
become foster and adoptive families
to meet the crisis we have in Bexar
County. Donate. Choose the Defender
Program and pledge just $1 a day, or
sponsor a family’s journey from training
to placement to support for $3,400. Visit:
www.1HOPEforkids.org/donate Volunteer.
Provide babysitting, daycare, tutoring,
transportation, and hand-written notes
of encouragement for the foster families.
Contact them today! Partner. Churches are
1HOPE’s greatest partners and also serve as
the training sites for family licensing. Open
your doors to 1HOPE to learn more!
S TOR Y MADE POS S I B L E B Y:
www.valcorcre.com
1723 N. Loop 1604 E., Suite 204, SAT 78232
(210) 824-4242
A FULL-SERVICE BROKERAGE
AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FIRM
HEADQUARTERED IN SAN ANTONIO
Founded in January of 2010, we are a
dynamic, entrepreneurial company built on
the core values of thankfulness, grit, and
stewardship. We strive for an exciting family
based culture that is fun, intentional, hardworking,
innovative, relational, intelligent,
and focused. Our team has a generous spirit
and is involved in local and international
charities. At Valcor, we are deeply committed
to the personal and professional growth of
our team members, vendors, and clients.
“ We partner with 1HOPE for Kids because San Antonio
is in crisis. Thousands of children are desperately
crying out for help. They are alone, unadopted, or
trapped inside abusive, traumatic homes. Their need,
too often, goes unnoticed and unheard.
They live in fear and without hope.
Let’s come alongside 1HOPE to
eagerly and urgently work until every
child has a home.” Jonathan Collins, Partner, Co-Founder, Valcor Commercial Real Estate
The 1HOPE staff meets for weekly prayer.
6 www.saBeacon.com May / June 2019