Contact Us News ABOUT SERVICES CAREERS GET INVOLVED REFER A CHILD DONATE YOUTH VILLAGES STORIES THE NEAL FAMILY CELEBRATED ANOTHER ADOPTION! Nov 24, 2021 | Blog, Foster Care Stories Remember, Jonathan and Jaywanna Neal adopting Christopher in 2019, well the family celebrated another adoption this past year adopting Maliki in May of 2021, in the middle of the pandemic. The family wasted no time adopting Maliki as soon as he became available for adoption. “I refused to allow the pandemic from stopping us from doing what is right,” said Jaywanna regarding the finalization of Maliki’s adoption. “If anything, the pandemic helped us bond as a family.” November is Adoption Awareness Month and a time to recognize the need for forever families for the children in foster care across the state. Currently, there are 8,000 children in foster care and around 350 children available for adoption in Tennessee. A number of these children have experienced trauma after being removed from their biological homes due to abuse or neglect and need a caring adult to provide them with stability and support to get them back on track to be successful. “These children have been through so much and are traumatized, so it is important to be patient with them and try not to force who you are on them,” Jaywanna said. “Allow the love to come naturally and you will see the love in these kids.” The Neals needed to be patient with Maliki. Maliki struggled a bit more with being in foster care since he was with his biological mother for most of his childhood. He kept hoping she would do what she needed to do to get back custody of him, but when she surrendered her rights, Maliki was ready to be adopted. “I knew he was ready when he started calling us mom and dad,” Jaywanna said. Christopher, on the other hand, was removed from his biological family at an earlier age and spent more time in foster care. He was thrilled when the Neal’s told him he would be adopted. “It was different with Christopher who desired to be “wanted” so badly that he was ready to be adopted from the moment he came into our home,” Jaywanna added. For Christopher and Maliki, the Neals gave them what they needed, a loving family and a forever home. According to Jaywanna, both boys have developed a real sense of self after their adoption. “They knew they finally belonged, and they are proud to be “the Neal boys” Jaywanna said. “The boys have instantly become brothers and they make the perfect pair. They play like brothers, fight like brothers, and defend each other like brothers.” Additionally, the boys have even gotten into music, Christopher playing the keyboard and Maliki playing the drums, following Jonathan’s footsteps who is a church musician. They also love to cook together, and the family even has their own cooking show on YouTube called “Welcome to Nealville”. “The boys love being in front of the camera thinking they can cook better than me,” Jaywanna said. The Neals recently moved to accommodate their growing family. After the move, Jonathan and Jaywanna surprised the boys with a dog! At first, they felt like their family was finally complete, but recently Jonathan and Jaywanna reopened their home back up with Youth Villages to support additional children in foster care. “I had a dream that two more kids needed some love, so we decided to open our home up one more time and wait for the next two kids that God decides to send to our home,” Jaywanna said. Approximately 80% of the children who are adopted from foster care in Tennessee are adopted by their foster parents. The need for foster parents continues to grow as more children are without a family. If you are interested in fostering or adopting, contact Youth Villages at 1-888-MY-YV-KID or visit www.youthvillages.org/foster. GIVE TO YOUTH VILLAGES Every day, Youth Villages serves thousands of troubled children and their families and we need your help. DONATE NOW CATEGORIES Blog Community Engagement Expert Insights Featured Stories Foster Care Stories Intercept LifeSet Media Coverage News Releases Pressroom RECENT POSTS The Neal Family celebrated another adoption! November 24, 2021 Youth Villages Walk for Independence raises $33,500 to help at-risk young adults November 24, 2021 Hospitals help mental health patients – by sending them away November 10, 2021 Fostering Love Beyond Adoption Awareness Month November 3, 2021 It’s baby steps November 2, 2021 ARCHIVES Archives Select Month November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 November 2015 May 2015 September 2014 July 2013 November 2012 January 2012 December 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 MAKE A CAREER OUT OF CHANGING LIVES Do you share our passion for helping children and families live successfully? We’ve got a place for you. APPLY NOW HELP CREATE LASTING CHANGE Every day, we serve thousands of children and their families, and we need your help. GET INVOLVED DONATE Your one-time or continuing contribution goes directly to helping children and young adults get the chance they deserve. VOLUNTEER You can be a positive force in the lives of young people being treated through Youth Villages at our residential campuses and beyond. STAY INFORMED Sign up for regular updates on our national programs, ways to get involved and more at Youth Villages. Sign up today and stay informed! ABOUT US SERVICES CAREERS GET INVOLVED NEWS CONTACT Copyright © 2021 Youth Villages Terms of Use Privacy Statement Notice of Privacy Practices Medical Records Audited Financials Employee Resources All rights reserved. “Youth Villages” is a registered service mark owned by Youth Villages®. Youth Villages® is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-1716970). Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. Youth Villages® is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram powered by