Giving Back After Goodbye

At just 19 years old, Thomas Watson has said more goodbyes than most people do in their whole lives.

As the biological son of a foster and adoptive family, Thomas has watched eight children come through his home over the years. Thomas was only seven when Joshua came. Joshua never left and was eventually adopted after three years in foster care. When Thomas was 11, a sibling set of three young children spent a year with the Watsons. He still sees them often and knows they are doing well with their biological mother. At 16, a sibling set of 4 lived with Thomas and his family for two years, eventually reuniting with their biological father. Thomas has never heard from them again.

"It's devastating not knowing how they're doing. Having four people be your brothers and sisters for that long, and being unable to see or talk to them anymore, having them cut out of your life."

The heartbreak he's experienced could have made Thomas walk away from foster care forever, but instead, it's led him to give.

Now a monthly donor to Project 1.27, Thomas wants to help other foster families. "I've had firsthand experience with how flawed our foster care system is," he explains. "And I know foster families need as much support and guidance as possible. I know how hard it is for the family to say goodbye. I know how hard it is for the kids never to have a stable situation, and live their whole lives seeing their loved ones ripped from them. And I understand how hard it is for the parent who had their children taken from them, and has to earn their right to parent again."

As a full-time college student juggling a full-time job, Thomas chose to automate his donation. “By giving monthly, I can give consistently and I don't have to rely on my memory to be generous."


When asked what he'd say to someone thinking about donating, Thomas doesn't hesitate: "Whether you have any experience with foster care or have simply heard about all the faults, Project 1.27 is making real changes. They're supporting foster families and nurturing foster children. More than anything, I want to support the cause of protecting these children's hearts. So they can grow up with the same joy and love God designed all children to carry."
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By Jenny Watson, Director of Communication and Development