Luke, 11, spent time in a staggering 25 foster homes in four years ... now he's found a family to love him forever

An Arkansas boy has finally found his forever home after bouncing between 25 different foster homes over four years.

Luke Kissinger, 11, was officially adopted by his new family last Tuesday, May 14, in Boone County, Arkansas. 

The fourth grader's past was marked by frequent moves - jumping from one foster home to the next - often due to a lack of available foster homes and behavioral issues due to the trauma he experienced. 

Despite his challenging past, Luke's mother, Cassie, said her son has shown remarkable resilience and has bonded with his new family. 

'Luke has faced so much heartbreak and trauma but he has the biggest heart, has worked so hard to improve behaviors and catch up in school, and is absolutely thriving,' his mother, Cassie Kissinger, told Dailymail.com.

Luke Kissinger, 11, was officially adopted by his new family last Tuesday, May 14, in Boone County, Arkansas

Luke (pictured front left) now has a new family, including a new brother and sister

'He has struggled in the past with finding joy, but with us he has always been so happy and full of life. Since adoption, that joy is even more evident,' she added. 

Luke's new parents, who opened their home specifically to adopt, watched a video he made through the non-profit Project Zero in March 2023. Luke was not the first child they met, but once they met him, they knew he was theirs.

'We knew instantly that he was ours,' his mother recalled. 'Me and Dad finally got to meet him in June at a Connection Event and bonding to him was instantaneous. He got to meet his brother and sister for the first time in July and they all became fast friends.'

Now, Luke's life has transformed overnight from one filled with trauma and instability into one of joy and security. 

'Luke has bonded really well with everyone in the family. He loves spending time with Dad and joking around, getting loved on by Mama and Sister, and loves playing backyard football with Brother,' she told Dailymail.com 

His supportive classmates celebrated the joyous day as they watched the heartwarming moment the court confirmed his adoption through a livestream. 

'That day was really special because now I don't have to worry about moving around,' Luke said to the local news outlet KAIT8. 

Luke, who said it was 'exhausting' bouncing from one home to the next, said he was thrilled to have his classmates supporting him and watching his dreams come true.

His classmates are seen celebrating alongside him as they watched the heartwarming moment through a livestream

'That is really exciting,' Luke told the outlet, saying it felt 'really good' to see his classmates cheering him on and have a place to finally call home. 

The adoption process took a little over a year to officialize.  

But for Luke's mother said every minute was worth it. She said it was a day she will never forget.   

Cassie was touched by the reaction of her 14 family members and Luke's classmates when they witnessed the special moment. 

She said it was an emotional day, but in a positive way.  

'Everyone just started tearing up the class was cheering his teachers were there,' Cassie said.

Cassie became inspired to adopt when she watched a video from the non-profit, Project Zero, an organization with the mission to 'diligently and enthusiastically promote adoption' through the foster care system with the ultimate goal of 'finding a forever family for every child who is waiting.'

She first met Luke in March 2023 and she knew immediately the child was for her, she said. 

According to a friend of Cassie on Facebook, when her family went to pick up the fourth grader, he said 'YALL ARE GOING TO ADOPT ME' !!!!! 

Luke (left) was overjoyed when he realized he was finally going to have a stable family and home. It is unclear why the boy was in the foster system to begin with

Luke said it felt 'really good' to see his classmates cheering him on and to have a place to finally call home (Pictured with judge) 

Luke was thrilled to have his classmates supporting him and said it 'felt really good'

Cassie (middle with Luke) was touched by the reaction of her 14 family members and Luke's classmates when they witnessed the special moment

His new brother said he was thrilled to hear the news. 'I think it's very exciting,' Ayden Looney said. Expressing similar excitement, his sister Alena Looney said, 'I'm glad he's my brother I love him like a brother' (Pictured: Luke in the middle between his sister and brother)

'Up until Tuesday, I don't think he believed that forever was happening,' Cassie said.

It took some time for Luke to adjust to his new life, but Cassie said that her son finally understands that this is his forever home. 

His new brother said he was thrilled to hear the news.  

'I think it's very exciting,' Ayden Looney said.

Expressing similar excitement, his sister Alena Looney said: 'I'm glad he's my brother I love him like a brother.' 

It was a great week for Luke, who not only found a family, but was also awarded the Chamber of Commerce award for fourth grade at Brookland Middle School for overcoming 'personal difficulties.'

It was a great week for Luke, who not only found a family, but was also awarded the Chamber of Commerce award for 4th grade at Brookland Middle School for overcoming 'personal difficulties

It's unclear why Luke transferred foster families so frequently, however, There were 4,199 Arkansas children in foster care on March 31, 43 more than at the end of 2022, according to the Arkansas Advocate (Pictured: Luke with his new dad) 

It's unclear why Luke transferred foster families so frequently, however, there were 4,199 Arkansas children in foster care on March 31, 43 more than at the end of 2022, according to the Arkansas Advocate.  

Arkansas is short-staffed within the government agency that handles the state's foster care system, according to the quarterly report from the Division of Children and Family Services. 

This has led to higher caseloads and increasing turnover rate.

Turnover typically occurs within two years of hiring, according to DHS’ Deputy Director of Youth and Families.  

However, the state still saw an overall decrease of 325 children in foster care since June 30 of last year, according to the report.