South Florida family cares for 90 children

Alvarez family has fostered children for 12 years

MIAMI – Many parents know how difficult it can be raising children. Try taking care of ninety kids.

For the past 12 years, one South Florida couple took in over ninety foster children. Lisa and Jorge Alvarez began back in 1997, when they decided to adopt a baby after several unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant.

Lisa told Local 10 News, "The doctor suggested fertility drugs. We were going to have to refinance the home to get the fertility drugs. The health insurance ran out so I thought God had another plan for us."

That's when they adopted Natasha, now 12 years old.  In the months that follow, Lisa learned there were many more children in need so they decided to open up their home. Lisa also decided to get medically certified to take care of babies with health needs. Since then, they also adopted Desi a 5 year old boy with cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease.

It is definitely a team effort in their home. The Alvarez's former foster children now adults often come by to help. Her husband Jorge does most of the cooking.

Despite the chaos with 5 kids in the house, Lisa knows she is doing exactly what she was born to do being a mother to children in need. She told Local 10, "Everyone says when you die you are going to go to heaven. But I feel like I have heaven on earth taking care of these children. I love it."

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent contact the Family Resource Center of South Florida at 305-374-6006 or at www.frcflorida.org.