He called 22 people, mom or dad, before he learned what family really means. Michael Sheaffer moved through eight foster homes by age six, lost his name and his siblings to adoption, and rebuilt his life one honest relationship at a time. Now he runs Welcome Home Youth Advocacy to walk beside foster and adoptive families through the hard middle. In this episode of Voices of Adoption with host Donna Pope, Michael Sheaffer shares his life story, and it is full of hope.

Eight Homes, Zero Stability

By age six, Michael had lived in eight foster homes and learned to treat every goodbye as the next adventure. He explains how kids build walls to survive and what steady adults can do to help them feel safe again.

Adoption Is a Beginning

Michael says movies end the story on adoption day, but real life starts there. He shares what adoptive families need most in the years that follow, and why a child's history should stay part of who they are.

Found After Forty Years

After four decades apart, Michael recently found his biological brother. He opens up about why that reunion matters and what he wishes every foster and adoptive family understood about belonging.

Michael turns real pain into real help for families who feel alone. Listen now, then keep the conversation going.

Download Your FREE Guide to Adoption at VoicesofAdoption.org.

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Connect With Michael Sheaffer

Welcome Home Youth Advocacy: WelcomeHomeYouth.org | Instagram: @WelcomeHomeYouth | Facebook: WelcomeHomeYouth | Email: mikes@WelcomeHomeYouth.org