Sonia Arroyo never planned to become a foster parent. But when two children at her daycare began digging through the trash for food, her heart made the decision for her..
“They came in hungry every day,” she said. “I found out they didn’t have a home.”
Though she didn’t yet have her foster care license, Sonia felt an undeniable pull. She knew caring for children that had no one else was her calling. Soon after the experience with her daycare students, she connected with LSF and became a licensed foster parent. Her first placement was a three-year-old boy who would go on to stay with her for three years. This was just the beginning of what would become a lifelong journey.
That was in 2000. Flash forward 25 years and nearly 125 children later and you’ll still find Sonia with and open heart and an open home for kids in need. “I do it from the heart,” she said. “If I can give just a little piece to help a child have a better future, I’ll keep doing it.”
Sonia’s home in Cape Coral is a welcoming, family-centered space. Sonia started out in a small duplex taking any kids she could fit, but over the years she has expanded so that more kids can have a place to call home. Now, in her four-bedroom house, Sonia’s love fills the space and creates a home for numerous children.
“Once the kids come to my house, they don’t want to leave,” she said. “We’re a big family home. They get to experience that.”
Over the years, Sonia has cared for children of all ages and backgrounds, many arriving with nothing but the clothes on their backs. “Sometimes they come barefoot, or their clothes are too dirty to wear,” she said. “We make them a care package as soon as we know they’re coming.”
Thanks to community donations, Sonia can give each child not only essentials, but memories. Every child who stays in her care leaves with an album of photos, moments captured during birthdays, vacations and everyday family life. To Sonia, these tangible memories ensure that the children in her care never forget that they are loved, regardless of where life takes them.
“When we went to Disney Springs this week, their eyes lit up,” she said, describing her current foster children’s amazement during their time in Orlando. “That’s why I love when people donate, so we can give them those experiences.”
In Sonia’s home, children know they are safe. There’s food on the table. There are no locked pantries. And there’s no need to steal. “They realize they’re going to eat the next day,” she said. “They have stability.”
Through it all, Sonia has remained a steady, loving presence. She’s not just a temporary stop, she’s a forever family. Her household is one that offers children both steady care and special moments that make their struggles a little more bearable.
“When it’s time to go back home, we’re still there for them,” she said. “They can call me. I don’t care if I have to drive two hours, I’ll be there.”
As each year brings new children into her life, Sonia continues to offer what so many kids desperately need: love, stability and the belief that their future can be different. Every year Sonia continues to foster, her life calling is one she plans to see through, and nothing will get in her way. When Sonia got engaged to her now husband, she told him if he wanted to remain in her life he would need to become a foster parent too.
“I was brought into this world to help people,” she said. “It’s a blessing to be able to give.”
In recognition of her unwavering dedication, Sonia was named the Florida Coalition for Children’s 2025 Foster Parent of the Year. The award honors her 25 years of compassion, advocacy and commitment to providing a safe and loving home for children in need.
To learn more about how you can become a foster parent through LSF, visit www.lsfnet.org/foster-care.
