Building Families: How Two Ohio Households Gave Five Siblings the Forever Homes They Deserved

For countless children in foster care, the dream of a “forever family” often feels just out of reach. But in Cincinnati, Ohio, two remarkable households have defied the odds—welcoming entire sibling sets under their roofs, proving that love, dedication, and resilience can create family ties stronger than DNA.

From Infertility to Foster Care Champions: The Rahm Family’s Journey

Over nearly a decade, Julie and Will Rahm have built a home overflowing with care and compassion—not through biological children, but through the foster system. After facing the heartbreak of infertility, the Rahms decided their energy was best spent helping children who needed safety, stability, and a loving presence.

“We came to the conclusion that being parents at this time was not in the cards for us,” Julie explains. “So let’s provide a home for these children and serve as a bridge for them, while their parents work towards reunification.” For Julie, 33, and her husband, it was never about ownership, but about helping others heal.

But as the years of fostering went by, their hearts opened wide to five siblings placed with them over three years: Will (12), Truth (9), Mariana (6), Kaora (3), and KJ (2). Slowly, their house transformed from a temporary shelter into a true home.

By the end of last month, something extraordinary happened—the Rahms made their family “official,” adopting all five children in an emotional court ceremony filled with happy tears and joyful reunions.

Lisa Rahm recalls, “I’ve always thought of them as my children. [After the adoption], it was more relief than anything else. We’ve all been holding out for this moment.”

Healing Old Wounds: Keeping Siblings Together

Many foster children endure repeated upheaval—moved from one home to another, separated from their siblings, and robbed of familiar comforts. Julie and Will were determined not to let that happen to any child they took in.

“We always vowed that when we had children come into our family, we would never have them uprooted again,” explains Julie. “If the chance presented itself, we’d keep them together—especially because so much had already been taken from them.”

Will and Truth were first welcomed into the Rahm family in 2014, followed over the years by their younger sisters and brother. When the time came for their adoption to be finalized, the entire family gathered in the Hamilton County Probate Court.

A memorable courtroom moment came when little Kaora was asked how she felt about her foster dad. “I’ve never felt that he’s my foster father,” she replied without hesitation. “I only felt that he’s my real father. I wouldn’t choose a better one for us if it was up to me.” The honest words left everyone present overwhelmed with emotion.

“They permanently altered the lives of five siblings,” said Judge Ralph Winkler after presiding over the adoption. “They provided a secure, loving, and caring environment for them.”

Today, all five have taken the Rahm surname. To accommodate their larger family, Julie and Will recently moved to a bigger house and upgraded their car to a roomy SUV—practical changes for a growing family filled with children’s laughter.

A Cincinnati Father’s Solo Journey: Robert Carter’s Story

Not far away, another inspiring Ohio adoption is changing lives—not just for one child, but for five siblings who might otherwise have grown up apart.

Robert Carter, a 30-year-old salon owner, knows firsthand the pain of family separation. A former foster child himself, Carter remembers being split from his own eight siblings at age 12. Years later, he made it his mission to reunite five siblings—Robert, Giovanni, Chiante, Mariana, and Michaela—who’d been divided in care.

In December 2018, while caring for three of the boys, Carter began his search for their sisters. After a six-month ordeal, he brought the children back together. “They all sobbed the first time they saw each other,” Carter recounts. “After that, I knew they should be together forever.”

On October 30th, 2020, days before National Adoption Day, Carter’s dream was realized. He became legal dad to all five children, capping off a challenging, emotional year with the ultimate celebration of family.

“It’s really amazing to be able to watch them grow together,” Carter says. “They’re becoming closer now—they even sleep in each other’s rooms, watching movies together, encouraging me, and reminding me to always think about how my choices influence them.”

New Traditions, New Adventures

Both the Rahm and Carter families mark adoption day as a celebration. For the Carters, Halloween—already their favorite—has become doubly special. “We throw a big Halloween party every year now, to mark our family’s adoption anniversary. The kids love it!” Carter shares. This year they even launched a YouTube channel to chronicle their lives and spread awareness of sibling adoptions.

These homes are bustling with activity—homework, dance and gymnastics practices, cheerleading, and plenty of family movie nights. “I just take it one day at a time,” says Carter. “I had to develop more patience with my kids than I did at first, since they’re not my biological children and each has their own story and struggles. But they keep me going—on the worst days, I always remember: who else will love them as fiercely as I do?”

The Bittersweetness of Adoption

Even as joy abounds, there are bittersweet reminders—memories of what the kids lost, regrets for what their birth parents miss. Carter was contacted by the children’s mother after she was released from prison. While open to a relationship, he knows stability comes first: “Before we even discuss seeing the kids, I need to know she’s been sober for at least a year or two.”

Both families dream of further adventures—particularly a warm, magical Christmas at Disney World, something the Carter children have never experienced.

Hope for the Future

Judge Winkler hopes these stories will inspire others to consider adoption. “My greatest wish is that the adoptions of these five children will lead even more kind people to become foster parents or adopt children themselves,” he said.

Robert Carter echoes that hope. “If you have love in your heart, the time, and the means—stand up and do it. These kids need permanent homes and families. Whatever’s in your heart, let yourself act on it. You could change lives.”

As for the Rahms, each day with their family is a testament to promises fulfilled and wounds healed. “I could see right away that Julie and Will treated the children as their own,” said Ann Boyle, Will’s old second-grade teacher, who attended the adoption. “Their smiles, their laughter—it was obvious they’d found their forever home.”

Through their unwavering commitment, the Rahms and Carters show what’s possible when compassion triumphs over hardship—offering hope, stability, and love to the children who need it most.