A lot of noise surrounds the words “foster care.” Some comes from movies, some from outdated systems or secondhand stories, and some has been repeated so many times it starts to feel like fact. But it isn’t fact. It’s foster care myths, and they do real harm when they shape how people see children who are already carrying so much.
Sunny Glen Children’s Home in San Benito has been walking alongside children and young adults since 1936. Thousands of children have come through our doors, each with a story worth knowing. What we’ve learned after 90 years of faithful, hands-on care is that the truth about these children looks nothing like the myths. So let’s set the record straight.
Myth #1: Children in Foster Care Are “Bad” or “Troublesome”
This might be the most damaging of all the foster care myths, because children don’t come to Sunny Glen because of anything they did. They come because of what happened to them like abuse, neglect, instability that no child should ever have to live through.
When a child acts out, shuts down, or pushes people away, that behavior isn’t a character flaw. It’s pain that hasn’t found words yet. Trauma changes how children see the world, rewiring their sense of safety, trust, and belonging. A child who’s been hurt enough will test the people around them, because they’ve learned the hard way that people leave. That’s not troublesome. That’s survival.
Our trauma-informed approach meets those behaviors with patience, consistency, and compassion. We don’t ask children to behave their way into being loved. Instead, we love them first and keep showing up, because that’s what healing actually requires. Every child who walks through our doors is worthy of that kind of care.
Myth #2: Children in Care Only Need Food and Shelter
Basic needs matter, of course. But a child who is fed and housed and still feels utterly alone hasn’t been fully cared for. Real stability is built through relationships like someone remembering what your favorite meal is, or sitting with you when a school day goes sideways, or helping you figure out who you want to become.
Children in our programs receive individual, group, and family therapy through the Poenisch Counseling Center, along with case management, health and dental care, and preparation for adult living through Allen House, our transitional living program. Weekly Bible studies and worship gatherings ground them in something bigger than their circumstances — in a love that holds steady even when everything else feels uncertain. We don’t check boxes here. We build lives.
Myth #3: Children Who’ve Experienced Trauma Can’t Heal
Some misconceptions endure because they’re never directly challenged. This one — that children can be permanently defined by what happened to them before they ever had a say in it — is the most persistent of all. We’ve watched it get dismantled, quietly and powerfully, every single day.
Children arrive at Sunny Glen carrying fear, grief, and broken trust. And over time, with consistent love and professional support, something changes. A child who wouldn’t make eye contact starts to laugh during movie nights. A teenager who swore he didn’t need anyone starts planning for a future. These aren’t rare exceptions — they’re what happens when children are met with genuine care, rooted in the belief that every person is made in God’s image and deserving of dignity.
Healing isn’t linear, and it isn’t fast. But it’s real. We’ve seen it too many times to believe anything different.
Myth #4: Children in Care Don’t Get to Just Be Kids
This one stays with us, because childhood — real childhood full of silliness and celebration and ordinary joy — is exactly what every child deserves. Sunny Glen works hard to protect that. We throw birthday parties and cheer at school events. We have movie nights and community outings and moments that exist for no other reason than fun.
Children who’ve experienced loss need to know they’re still allowed to be young, that joy isn’t something they forfeited. Every celebration we host is a quiet declaration: your life is precious, and we’re glad you’re here.
Myth #5: Faith-Based Care Is One-Size-Fits-All
Some people hear “faith-based” and picture a rigid program where everyone follows the same script. That’s not how we work. Our model is rooted in Christian faith and built on values of respect, trust, and love — but those values are applied personally to each child’s unique story, goals, and needs.
A care plan at Sunny Glen is shaped by who that child actually is: what they’re interested in, what they dream about, what kind of support they need to get there. God’s love isn’t a template. It meets people where they are, and we try to do the same.
Myth #6: One Organization Can’t Make a Real Difference
Sunny Glen started in 1936 with six children and one deep conviction: that every child deserves a safe place and someone who cares. What began during the Great Depression has grown into a full child welfare organization that has served the Rio Grande Valley for 90 years — through economic hardship, generational change, and every challenge in between.
One faithful act, repeated consistently across decades — that’s what changes lives. We’ve seen it, and we’re still seeing it.
The Truth Is Worth Telling
These myths don’t just spread misinformation. They create distance between children who need support and the communities that could provide it. Every time we challenge them with truth, we move a little closer to a world where every child is seen clearly and loved well.
Sunny Glen has been doing that work for nearly a century, and we’re not slowing down. If something here moved you, the next step is simple: volunteer your time, donate to support our programs, or reach out to learn more. These children deserve a full community behind them, and you can be part of that.
What are the most common foster care myths people believe?
The most widespread ones are that children in care have behavioral problems by nature, that they only need basic necessities, or that they can’t recover from early trauma. These assumptions often reflect outdated thinking rather than the reality of what children in care actually experience — or what quality programs like Sunny Glen can provide with consistent, compassionate support.
How does Sunny Glen address trauma in the children it serves?
Through a trauma-informed approach across all programs: professional therapy through the Poenisch Counseling Center, consistent adult relationships, structured daily routines, and a care environment grounded in patience and respect. Children are never expected to earn love — they receive it unconditionally as the starting point for healing.
Is Sunny Glen only for children of a specific faith background?
No. While Sunny Glen is rooted in Christian values and includes spiritual development through Bible studies and worship, children from all backgrounds are welcomed and respected. The faith foundation shapes the organization’s character — its commitment to love, dignity, and service — not a requirement for who receives care.
How long has Sunny Glen been serving children in South Texas?
Since 1936, making it one of the longest-standing child welfare organizations in the Rio Grande Valley. Over more than 90 years, Sunny Glen has provided care for thousands of children and young adults through residential programs, counseling services, transitional living, and community support.
How can I support Sunny Glen’s work?
Volunteer your time, make a financial donation, or reach out directly to learn about specific needs. Sunny Glen’s work depends on people who believe — as we do — that every child deserves safety, healing, and the chance to thrive.