Viewers become adoptive parents to teen in foster care after seeing his on-air plea for family

Teen adoption can provide vital support for young people leaving foster care without a family, who often lack help and advice.

These teens face high risks of homelessness, young parenthood, poor education, and unemployment.

However, one person can make a significant positive impact on their lives.

In 2020, a teenager connected instantly with his future adoptive parents after appearing on TODAY.

Matt Bungo and Joe French, a married couple, saw him during a segment on teens in foster care seeking adoptive families hosted by Hoda Kotb.

Matt and Joe were considering surrogacy, but a TODAY statistic showing that only 3% of adoptive parents prefer kids older than 13 caught their attention.

Joe remembered telling Matt, “I paused the TV and said, ‘Come in here. I think this can be our kid.'”

They both watched the segment several times. There was an instant connection—Samuel reminded Joe of Matt, and his accent felt familiar.

The couple knew Samuel was meant to be their son. Joe recalled Hoda and Joel Schiffman asking three questions about time, money, and love before adopting their daughters in 2017 and 2019 — all answered with a yes.

Samuel lived in a boys’ residential community when he met Matt and Joe over FaceTime.

He was cautious due to two previous teen adoption attempts that didn’t succeed.

“I had honestly given up on getting my hopes up,” Samuel told TODAY on June 14. “You could just tell they were nice people. They felt real.”

Matt and Joe adopted Samuel at 17 in July 2021. When Samuel arrived at their home with just a few shirts in a trash bag, Matt realized how differently he had been living.

Now a University of Alabama at Birmingham student, Samuel told TODAY that he hadn’t been close to many people before finding his parents.

He expressed happiness about the new relationships he’s formed since then.

“A lot of people assumed (that) two gay men adopting a kid would be some sort of progressive radical concept, but it’s not,” says Joe.

Matt emphasized that foster kids need love, something everyone can provide.

During their June 14 interview with Hoda and TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager, the family discussed their experience.

Samuel reflected that adoption has brought him stability and the love he missed as a child in foster care.

He also expressed a heartfelt Father’s Day message to his two dads.

“I love you, I’m very thankful for you and I can’t wait to see what comes next for us.”

Mutual benefits of teen adoption

Adopting a teenager benefits the teens and enriches the lives of everyone involved in the adoption process by strengthening their bonds.

For Adoptive Parents:

Adopting a teenager brings deep emotional fulfillment and personal growth to parents, according to Love What Matters.

Supporting their adopted child through the challenges and joys of adolescence helps parents develop resilience, patience, and a deeper understanding of family dynamics.

The strong emotional bond formed during this time brings lasting satisfaction.

Parents also play a crucial role in guiding their adopted teenagers, from assisting with educational and career choices to providing emotional support during the teenage years.

Witnessing their teen’s growth and achievements brings unique joy and fulfillment to the parenting journey.

For Adopted Teenagers:

Teenagers benefit from forming strong, lasting relationships with their adoptive families, which provide essential support and stability as they transition into adulthood.

Unlike teens without a permanent family, those with adoptive parents can celebrate milestones and successes together.

This shared support helps them feel accomplished and boosts their self-esteem, whether they excel academically, pursue their passions, or overcome challenges.

As teenagers prepare for adulthood, the support they receive from their adoptive family is invaluable.

Teen adoption can be a transformative and highly rewarding experience for everyone involved, offering the opportunity to create positive impacts and build lasting connections.

Watch Matt, Joe, and Sam’s heartwarming story below: