Commissioners proclaim May Foster Care Awareness Month; Agape Ranch outlines gaps in local foster capacity

The Nueces County Commissioners Court adopted a proclamation designating May 2025 as Foster Care Awareness Month and invited representatives of Agape Ranch and other local nonprofits to brief the court on foster-care needs in the county.

Shannon Murphy of Agape Ranch told the court that Nueces County currently has “over 400 children in foster care” and “only 94 active foster homes,” a gap that sometimes forces placements outside the county or even out of state. She said the average age of a child entering foster care is about 8 years old and that children who are “adoption ready” can wait 1½ to 2 years to be adopted.

Murphy described Agape Ranch’s four pillars—prevention, foster care, adoption, and support for youth aging out of the system—and said the organization recently received a Republic Services grant that funded a perimeter fence, a sensory playground, and a prayer garden at the Ranch neighborhood in the London District. County officials and nonprofit partners told the court Agape Ranch has completed nine houses with 24 planned as part of a broader effort to provide family‑style residences for foster families and youth.

Commissioners and other speakers praised foster‑care volunteers and called for more foster homes and community support. The court’s proclamation specifically commended Agape Ranch and local nonprofits for their work and the declaration passed unanimously. Agape Ranch asked residents to consider foster parenting, volunteer roles and other ways to help children and youth in care; the organization provided its website for information and outreach.