CINCINNATI, OHIO – For Robert Carter, the sting of separation was a pain he knew intimately. Growing up in the foster care system himself, he understood the loneliness, the trauma, and the heartbreak that comes from being separated from siblings. His painful past, however, did not become a burden; it became a powerful, driving purpose.

At just 29 years old, the single father from Cincinnati was determined to give children the love and stability he never had. In 2017, Carter became a licensed foster parent, ready to open his home and his heart.

The Fight for Five

The real challenge began in December 2018 when Carter welcomed three young brothers into his home. Life seemed complete, but their story had a heartbreaking twist: Carter soon discovered the boys had two sisters living in separate foster homes across the state. The five siblings, shattered by circumstance, were divided by a system often struggling to keep families together.

Carter could not bear the thought of these children growing up without the profound bond of brotherhood and sisterhood. He knew, better than anyone, the lasting damage of that separation. He refused to let the distance remain.

What followed was a tireless, complex fight through social services, court dates, and administrative hurdles. He advocated relentlessly, his voice steady with empathy and conviction. His perseverance paid off: in January 2019, all five siblings—three brothers and two sisters—were finally under one roof, together at last. The chaos of their past was replaced by the simple, comforting noise of a complete family.

The Unbreakable Vow

This was just the beginning. Carter did not want them to live in the uncertainty of foster care. He wanted permanence. And so, on October 30, 2020, in a courtroom filled with tears of joy, Robert Carter officially adopted all five children, ensuring they would never be separated again.

His story is a living testament to unconditional love and empathy. Carter didn’t just offer these children a place to sleep; he gave them a family, a future, and the promise of never being alone. He conquered the isolation of his own childhood by creating an unbreakable circle of love for his children.

In recognition of his extraordinary compassion, Carter received the prestigious Life of Hope Award in 2024 from Casey Family Programs, honoring his deep commitment to the safety and success of children and families.

Robert Carter’s journey reminds the world that one person’s love can powerfully rebuild what life has broken—and that the simple act of keeping siblings together can truly change everything.