After 5,429 days in foster care, 19-year-old Cozy finally has a place, and a family, to call home.
On August 25, Cozy was officially adopted by Tim and Anna Dietrich, making him no longer just the longest-waiting child in the Arkansas foster care system, but also one of its happiest success stories.
Anna, who works for Project Zero, a nonprofit dedicated to helping foster children find permanent homes, said her decision to adopt Cozy felt like destiny.
“The Lord made it very clear that we were supposed to all-out adopt him. We’re supposed to give him our name, give him our family, give him our whole hearts,” she shared at a press conference filmed by TVH 11.
She added that Cozy isn’t just joining a family, he’s joining a whole cheering section.
“Cozy is getting a whole crew today, and we’re so excited, and that is what we want for every single one of our waiting kids. So until there is zero, let’s start this up again tomorrow, because today we’re celebrating.”
For Tim, Cozy’s story has always been marked by one simple but powerful symbol… a star.
“[The] first time we met with his team, they were telling us about the things that he really likes and toys that he likes, and they really focused on the star,” Tim recalled, pointing to a toy star Cozy held close. “And so for some reason, that’s kind of become our banner for him, is a star, which is why he’s wearing stars, and he’s got a star necklace and star toys.”
But while this day was about Cozy, leaders reminded everyone that many more children are still waiting. Tiffany Wright, director of the Division of Children and Family Services, said: “Even as we celebrate this beautiful day, we must stay focused on the goal of finding homes for other children who need them, and the critical work of Project Zero. This adoption gets us closer to our goal of zero.”
Project Zero echoed the celebration online, posting: “We’re still celebrating Cozy’s adoption! There are still nearly 200 children & teens like Cozy who deserve our whole hearts, our community & to be a part of a family. If this stirs your heart towards adoption please visit the FAQ page of our website!”
Cozy’s journey may have taken nearly 15 years, but in the end, he found exactly what every child deserves, love, belonging, and a forever family.
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