Photographed by Ralph Granich
The Herrera Family
The Herrera Family
Tony and Tina Herrera were parents to Olivia, age 4 and Daniel, age 6, when they decided to become foster parents. They "just wanted to help kids". Both had some rough times as children, and felt strongly that all children need stable, loving families. Though they never intended to adopt, when adoption became the plan for children in their care, the Herreras knew that they were meant to be permanently part of their family. Charlie was born addicted to heroin and cocaine, and was placed with the Herreras after a long stay at the hospital following his birth. He was adopted him in 2004. They brought Justice home from the hospital as a newborn. They worked hard to support reunification efforts with his mother, and helped him return to her home at age 2. During that time, they got to know his older brother Louis. After several months, when their mother was not able to continue to care for them, both boys re-entered foster care and returned to the Herreras. They were adopted together on Adoption Day in 2007. Tina calls their 2 year old son Noah "a wonderful surprise". And now they are in the process of adopting 12 year old Audrianna. According to Tina, there is still room in their 5 bedroom home. She and Tony are open to whatever God sends them, and to "whatever was meant to be!"