Meet Jynx Martinez-Coen
In just a few short weeks, Jynx Martinez-Coen will take the stage one last time as a high school student, to receive their diploma. A fixture of their school’s theatre department, Jynx recently captivated audiences as one of the lead roles in “Little Women” and even brought their own story to life by writing and directing an original play.
Cheering proudly from the audience will be Jynx’s parents, Anna and Mike, who will be celebrating not one but two graduates: Jynx and their older (by only 42 days!) brother, Orion, as they step into the next act of their lives. The journey to this moment hasn’t always followed a script — but Jynx and their family have faced every twist and turn with courage and determination.
The family’s story began seven years ago, when they were first connected through Boys & Girls Aid’s Foster Care Adoption program. Anna and Mike had been hoping to grow their family — and to give Orion, Anna’s biological son, the sibling he’d always wanted. From the moment they all met, it was clear Jynx belonged — even if the journey ahead would come with its share of challenges. And on February 15, 2019, after 2,190 days in foster care, Jynx was officially adopted.
Before finding their forever family, Jynx spent five and a half years navigating Oregon’s foster care system, more than twice the national average for youth in care. Like many young people facing similar circumstances, Jynx’s early years were marked by trauma, upheaval, and instability. These experiences contributed to complex emotional and behavioral challenges, which they gradually overcame with the support of their new family.
“When a child is suddenly placed in a safe, calm home, they often don’t know how to behave or what a healthy family dynamic looks like. For Jynx, I think it felt like stepping into a hot bath after being really cold — uncomfortable at first, but over time, they began to ease into it and feel at home,” explains Anna.
Though the first act of this family’s journey had more than its share of challenging moments, including behavioral outbursts and runaway attempts, Anna and Mike were equipped to support their child with the help of a strong ally: Boys & Girls Aid. Agency staff stood by the family’s side at every step, providing comprehensive training, steady support, and connection to essential resources before, during, and long after Jynx’s adoption.
“When we came to Boys & Girls Aid, it felt very personal,” says Anna. “There was a lot of care put into the training — especially around how to support kiddos from hard places — and we had a clinician I could always reach out to with questions or if I needed support.”
With consistent care from their family and Boys & Girls Aid, Jynx has stepped into the spotlight, embracing their role as a compassionate, resilient, and remarkable young adult.
“The most rewarding part of it all has been having a sturdy foundation to create a place for myself with people I know I can rely on, and finally feeling like things can be permanent,” says Jynx.
Their mom, Anna, echoes this sentiment: “We did a lot to help heal their trauma, but Jynx is the one who’s done all the work. It’s amazing to see where they were when they came to us at age 10 compared to now, at age 17. They’ve grown into a truly impressive human.”
Jynx’s story demonstrates what your support of Boys & Girls Aid can make possible. For 140 years, we have worked behind the scenes, setting the stage for young people to lead their own stories, supported by a loving cast of family members who nurture their growth and help them reach their full potential.
Right now, there are more than 5,000 children across Oregon who are in foster care facing challenges similar to those Jynx overcame. Your generosity is crucial to ensuring Boys & Girls Aid can continue providing these children with the stability, care, and lasting connections they need to thrive.
At a time when reliable support can no longer be taken for granted, your donation to Boys & Girls Aid is more important than ever. This National Foster Care Month, we ask that you make a fully tax-deductible gift to Boys & Girls Aid to ensure we can continue our life-changing mission to break the cycle of foster care, end youth homelessness, and create a brighter future for Oregon’s youth.