Focus on Family: Cleveland Foster Care
Since becoming licensed Cleveland foster care parents in February 2022, Brenda and Eli Corchado have opened their hearts and their home to seven children. Today, they are in the process of adopting four of those children while also raising their two biological children—a growing family built on love, resilience, and teamwork.
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The Corchados’ Cleveland Foster Care Journey
Foster care is deeply rooted in Brenda’s family history. Her grandmother was a foster parent who adopted two children, though both struggled in adulthood. Later, Brenda and Eli’s journey in Cleveland foster care began when they became kinship caregivers to the daughter of one of those children. “It feels like this has always been part of our family’s story,” Brenda reflected.
The decision to foster came after a pivotal moment at a medical appointment. Frustrated and unsure where to turn, Brenda was overheard by the sister of a licensed foster parent who encouraged her to contact OhioGuidestone. That advice changed everything. With the support of a dedicated referent, the Corchados began their foster care journey and built a strong relationship with OhioGuidestone staff who guided them every step of the way.
For Brenda, the most rewarding part of fostering is watching children transform. “Day to day, you don’t always notice change,” she explained. “But then you look back and realize the child who never hugged is now asking for hugs, and the one who never smiled is giggling with friends.”
The journey hasn’t been without challenges. All of the children in their care have had special needs, making regular medical appointments and therapy sessions a constant and sometimes overwhelming part of life. Brenda and Eli have faced these difficulties by working as a team, with Brenda managing the intricate scheduling and Eli stepping back from work so he could attend crucial appointments. The couple’s commitment and a shared understanding of their goals have been vital. “We realized we couldn’t carry the burden alone,” Brenda said, emphasizing the importance of their partnership.
Through the ups and downs, the Corchados have leaned on OhioGuidestone’s support. Brenda describes staff members as vital to their success, particularly their treatment team leader, Rose, who was “feisty, supportive, and always willing to listen.” While there were times when communication with other agencies felt difficult, Brenda credits OhioGuidestone with providing consistent advocacy, validation, and emergency support when it was most needed.
Building a Community: Supporting Cleveland Foster Care
Brenda is also passionate about supporting other foster families. In December 2024, she and her friends founded Honey From the Rock, Cleveland’s first foster care closet. Brenda describes herself as “the mouthpiece” of the organization, connecting resources and spreading the word. One of her favorite memories from the early days was watching a huge U-Haul pull up with donations the very first weekend they opened.
Brenda’s fondest foster care memories come from times when families and children could simply enjoy being together- whether it was laughing at the Beachwood Aquatic Center or watching Lilo & Stitch in a theater with 73 children and families from across agencies. “There was no talk of cases or court,” she said. “It was just living in the moment and enjoying each other’s company.”
Looking ahead, the Corchados hope to stay deeply connected to the Cleveland foster care community. They’ve already referred four families to OhioGuidestone and want to continue recruiting and mentoring others. “We want to walk alongside people in their journey,” Brenda shared.
The Corchado family’s story is one of love, perseverance, and advocacy. By welcoming children into their home, supporting other foster families, and creating spaces of joy and community, Brenda and Eli are proving that foster care isn’t just about providing shelter-it’s about transformation, connection, and hope for the future.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about Ohio foster care, please complete an inquiry to start the process.
If you enjoyed reading Brenda and Eli’s story, check out two additional Focus on Family stories to learn more about Ohio foster care: Two parents share their foster care to adoption story, and a foster couple shares their 5 best tips.