Growing up in Costa Rica, Priscilla saw early on the impact of caring for those less fortunate. Her father and mother came from humble beginnings and once able, were intentional in helping meet the needs of the local community. Some of her earliest memories are traveling with her mother to deliver Christmas gifts to the children. Those moments and memories left an indelible mark that would remain with her as she left for boarding school overseas in Hong Kong with a scholarship.
She attended United World College, where the goal of the college is to educate students so that they can understand the world and the needs that exist and actively make a difference through hands on opportunities with projects around the world. Priscilla always chose projects working with children. She served in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, working with non-profits, at hospitals and with special needs children. After attending university, she started a job with Carnival Cruise Line working on their ships, and eventually settled in Miami.
Shortly after moving to the States, a new friend invited her to come with her to church. She ended up going with her to Vous Church and learning about their heart for the community is what kept her coming back. She really connected to the church and helped launch the foster care and adoptive ministry there. “Seeing the woman who leads the ministry step in as a single woman, caring for kids, inspired me to get more involved, “Priscilla says, “I helped support her with caring for her foster child and even after he was reunified with his biological family, I continued to serve by helping other foster and adoptive families with their children. “
Over the course of the next 3 years, God continued to stir her heart to care and made a way for those dreams to become a reality. She earned a promotion at her job that provided more financially and was able to move into a home with 2 additional bedrooms which allowed her to make the commitment to become a foster parent. Although Priscilla originally thought she would just have one child at a time, when she was asked about a sibling set of 2, who were 9 years apart, she opened her home and her heart. “I knew that the oldest was a teenager and would be harder to place, “Priscilla shares, “and I truly felt it was what God was leading me to do. So, I said Yes.”
There have been a lot of happy moments. “These 2 beautiful children have changed my life completely, “she says with a smile and a chuckle. “I have always been a little bit of a workaholic but having them in my life has really forced me to focus on work-life balance.” Priscilla has never had her family in the states, although they are close and see each other often. Now, they come to visit me even more to see my family and be a part of our lives. It’s been a blessing all around.
When asked to share about moments on her journey that have impacted her, Priscilla was quick to recall several that stood out. “Taking my daughter out to eat at a restaurant for the first time and having her tell me that it was the nicest place that she had ever been before is a special memory.” She also recalls sharing with friends that the kids were an early Valentine’s present from God for her and then months later hearing her daughter repeat those words to other people and the way she was impacted by them. “It stuck with her, and it was so sweet to know that those words connected with her heart.”
Reading books and praying every night with her son has become a time that they both treasure. “I never expected the kids to call me Mom, but when my son calls me Mommy, it really is so special to me, “she says, “because I know it means he feels safe and loved.” She has also been able to help her daughter with her schoolwork and to see progress that wasn’t happening before. “It’s been so good to see how she is improving and loving learning.” Her teachers have shared that both the children have changed so much and it’s encouraging for Priscilla to know that her presence is making a difference.
For all the joys, there are struggles as well. Knowing that co-parenting with their biological Mom will be best for the children, she shares, “There are so many hurdles to overcome, and I do my best to help the kids navigate through all the emotions that come along with their visits. I want them to know that their Mom is important, and we pray for her all the time.” Priscilla is committed to doing whatever she can to facilitate growing that relationship, but as with most things in foster care and life in general, it’s completely outside of her control, and that’s hard.
There are so many things she has learned along the way, but it all comes back to trust. She remembers a few days after the children came to her, listening to a podcast, and hearing the hosts talk about the importance of putting everything in God’s hands. And that’s what she does every day. “Parenting requires so much more strength than you ever even realize, and, in my situation, it’s been accelerated. You can never be ready.”
Priscilla also can’t emphasize enough the importance of community. As a single working woman, she has always believed that children deserve to have both a mom and a dad. “That was the biggest concern of mine, “she shares, “but then I realized that having one committed parent is better than having neither.” As a single Foster Mom, having people who will walk with you is essential. Whether they are providing respite care or just coming alongside to support, it makes the journey easier. “And if more people stepped up to support, I think it would be easier for more people to say Yes.”
As a family they love spending time outdoors at the park. Her daughter loves board games, and her son is learning to swim. They love Chick-Fil-A and grabbing ice cream treats. And on Sundays, you’ll find them at Vous Church, the place this whole story started, because the kids love it just as much as she does, and they are surrounded by a church family that supports them. “Before I became a foster Mom, I was praying for the children God would bring. It was a step of faith to say Yes, but I know that as I am faithful to love them, God will work everything else out.”
Priscilla’s journey is unique and beautiful. Her story highlighting how the choice to serve others paved the way for her become a foster parent herself, is one we know will inspire others. For this and so many other reasons, she was nominated to receive recognition by All Pro Dad and the Florida Department of Children and Families as a 2024 Hall of Fame recipient.