Guided by faith, Lower Burrell couple opens home to 4th adopted child
Lacie and Eric Hooks became emotional when their foster son’s first-grade teacher at Bon Air Elementary mentioned something peculiar about Jayden.
“His teacher told us he wouldn’t write his last name,” Eric Hooks said. “He was writing our last name.”
The shy little boy with the contagious smile can now pen “Jayden Hooks” for the rest of his life.
The Hooks couple from Lower Burrell adopted Jayden on Sept. 2.
“I like it here,” Jayden said as he played with superheroes, Transformers, dinosaurs and other action figures in a room in the basement filled with toys.
“His demeanor changed the day after we officially adopted him,” said Eric Hooks, 46, a program manager for special needs individuals. “He was more relaxed, and relieved, I think.”
National adoption month
November is National Adoption Month, and organizations such as Pressley Ridge, where the Hooks met Jayden, provide foster and adoption services for children. Every child deserves to have a safe, nurturing home in which they can learn, grow and thrive, said Susanne Cole, president and CEO of Pressley Ridge in Pittsburgh.
“Foster care is the best option when children can’t remain in their biological home due to their current family circumstance,” Cole said. “The goal is to keep children in their community with as little disruption as necessary.”
Cole said foster parents such as the Hooks are critical in supporting children through difficult times. They can serve as extended family to give the biological family an opportunity to get the assistance they need with the goal of reuniting everyone.
“We do whatever it takes to ensure our foster families are prepared with all of the knowledge, support and training to effectively help these children so they, too, can heal and have a loving home to call their own while awaiting adoption,” Cole said.
Open arms
This isn’t the first adoption for Lacie and Eric Hooks.
They have seven children — Morgan, 22; Haylee, 20; Kaylee, 19; Chloe, 12; Carter, 8; Jayden, 7; and Kane, 6 — four of whom are adopted. They decided to adopt because they were told they couldn’t have children before they were married. The couple tried fertility treatments that weren’t successful.
When they looked into adoption, they used an agency located in the same building as the fertility clinic.
Lacie Hooks was able to get pregnant and had three children.
Adopted or biological, all of their children are loved and cared for the same, they said.
Before considering bringing Jayden into the family permanently, they had a family meeting.
“Carter, who is 8, said ‘I think Jayden should have a home,’ ” Lacie Hooks said. “Eric and I have always believed that if we can change one child’s life, it is worth it. I am so proud to be their mom and grateful Jesus showed me favor in blessing Eric and I with our children.”
She said they all have different personalities but the same, loving hearts.
“We all have a bond,” Lacie Hooks said. “Sometimes God allows us to go through times in our lives that we wonder why and how. When I see how God has brought us together, I am just so thankful the way our children accept people. Our children amaze me. They are my treasures.”
Lacie Hooks recalled sitting with Jayden the night of the adoption after being his foster mom for two years.
“He said, ‘I love you … You are my mommy,’ ” she said.
Love and acceptance
Lacie Hooks said foster children often come from rough backgrounds, but if you show them love and acceptance they will respond positively.
“Don’t be afraid of how someone might be labeled,” Lacie Hooks said. “These kids feel pressured, that if they do something wrong that they will have to leave. They don’t always know how to express themselves. We tell all our children, ‘No matter what you do, we won’t kick you out.’ ”
Each year, 10,000 children and families receive community-based mental health services, foster care and adoption, specialized education and supportive services for transition-age youth, according to Pressley Ridge. The organization has more than 70 programs to establish healthy family lives for children.
Foster parents work directly with staff on changing the child’s behaviors and building new skills.
Jayden fits in nicely with the Hooks crew. He likes to play with his siblings on the swing set and trampoline in the front yard.
Faith and family
The family does most everything together — from shopping to doctor’s appointments to church.
Their faith is their foundation. They attend Redemption Church in Lower Burrell and Abundant Joy Fellowship in Tarentum.
Sundays are reserved for family spaghetti dinner.
“This is normal chaos for us,” Eric said. “If one person is missing, it’s noticeable. I love having a big family. We don’t think of ourselves as special. Other people might think that, but we don’t.”
Lacie, 38, recalled when she was in ninth grade at Cheswick Christian Academy her teacher, Richard Federline, asked students what they wanted to be when they grew up. They told him doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, policemen, firemen.
“And I said, ‘All I want to be is a mom,’ ” said Lacie, who has a cleaning business. “So when I was told I couldn’t have children, I was devastated. We love having a big family. It’s not hard for us. It’s our routine. They are our life.”
A critical need
There is a critical need for foster and adoptive parents, Cole said. During the pandemic, the need to provide security and love to vulnerable children becomes even more dire, she said. As people face the realities of job loss and a changed family dynamic, Cole said, it is comforting to know there are kind and generous people who are willing to open their homes and their hearts to children in need.
Lacie and Eric Hooks began their foster care journey 10 days after their wedding on Oct. 12, 2002. The couple canceled their honeymoon to Walt Disney World to take in a child, whom they eventually adopted.
They eventually went to see Mickey and Minnie Mouse — but with all of their children.
Upon his adoption, Jayden took his Pressley Ridge therapist’s name as his new middle name to honor the significant impact made upon him and his family, along with the last name he’s waited for — “Jayden Zachary Hooks.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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