Angelica Hernandez and her family have opened their home to immigrant foster children for 13 years because they had the space and the heart, Hernandez said.

“We have the space at home and we wanted to open our home to one kid (with) needs because we want to help our community,” she said through interpreter and social worker Janette Garcia-Apaza.

In 13 years and through Lutheran Community Services, her family has helped raise children from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and now Guatemala. As May is National Foster Care Month, Lutheran Community Services is asking the community to consider fostering a refugee or immigrant child.

“We are especially interested in hearing from interested families in Renton, because it is such a wonderfully diverse community that has welcomed refugees and immigrants from many different countries,” said Molly Daggett, program manger for the organization. “This means that the schools and places of worship are diverse and welcoming places. Refugee and immigrant foster children can go to school and connect with people who speak their language, which provides a sense of comfort and familiarity.”

For Hernandez, sharing the same language and culture with her foster kids has helped to create a supportive environment for them to adjust and excel in the U.S.

A friend of hers told Hernandez about the program and she decided she specifically wanted to help a youth from Latin America.

“What I like is that I have one more member of the family,” Hernandez said. “And it’s not easy, but in the end it’s rewarding and the kid values what I’m doing for him.”

Lutheran Community Services’ Refugee and Immigrant Children’s Program has been providing foster homes and caring for unaccompanied refugee children since 1980. The program supports mainly teens who have come to the United States seeking safety and shelter from war, civil unrest, violence, or family breakdown, but don’t have family members in the states to care for them.

The need, according to staff, is great. The program currently works with 50 cases of immigrant and refugee youth, aside from their other foster care and adoption services. Lately, a large number of children is seeking escape and safety from Central America.

“The U.S. government is also in the process of resettling a large group of Congolese refugees, whose country has been suffering for many years under a protracted civil war,” she said. “We’re trying to find families who would like to help children from (a) variety of different countries, particularly ones in Africa and Central America.”

Connecting families with foster youth from relatively the same culture is very important to the child’s identity and readjustment, staff said.

“So if they live in a home that’s not the same culture, sometimes they struggle,” said Garcia-Apaza.

Sharing that cultural bond makes it easier for the youth to go to school, see that they are different and still feel confident and proud of where they came from, she said.

“I think parents, adults help in this process of cultural identity,” Garcia-Apaza said. “If he wouldn’t have adults in his life from the same culture he would struggle more,” she said speaking of Hernandez’ foster son.

“You just need the desire to become a foster parent and have the space and be one to open your heart. Then we will provide financial resources and services and different types of resources. You are not alone,” she said.

Lutheran Community Services will offer an informational meeting 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 9 at its Northgate office, 115 N.E. 100th St., Suite 200, Seattle. To reserve a seat, contact Stephanie Lennon at 206-694-5780.