'We write our story': Iskander family opens foster agency named for Mark, Jacob

Nearly four years after a crash killed two Westlake Village boys, their family has launched a foster care agency in their names.

The Iskanders opened the Mark & Jacob Foster Care Ministry earlier this month and plans to recruit and support families through the process, said Nancy Iskander, the boys’ mom.

Mark and Jacob were struck and killed on Triunfo Canyon Road in Westlake Village on Sept. 29, 2020. They were in the crosswalk with their mom and their younger brother Zachary heading toward Westlake Lake. Mark was 11, and Jacob was 8.

Earlier this year, a jury found Rebecca Grossman , of Hidden Hills, guilty of two counts of murder and hit-and-run driving after a weeks-long trial. In June, Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Nancy Iskander told The Star this week that her family is focused on doing good in the world. She called it the only way to heal.

“We are strongly choosing that our story not be about Mark and Jacob dying,” she said. “This is not who we are. Rebecca Grossman did not write our story. We write our story.”

Agency named for her sons

Her sons' story is one of inspiration, she said.

The Thousand Oaks-based agency will provide information, training, referral programs, transportation and other resources, Iskander said. For children in foster care, she hopes to make a time that could be scary or confusing easier on them.

She wanted her sons' names to be associated with a service that helps kids, Iskander said. She plans to work on their behalf, particularly focused on helping the most vulnerable, she said.

'It's on me now'

Iskander described Mark as kind, smart and funny. He performed stand-up comedy in his last school talent show. He loved to tell jokes , she said.

Jacob loved adventure and running track. He wanted to be everyone's protector, his mom said. His favorite thing to say about his baby sister was not to mess with her, she said.

Iskander said she raised her kids to be the light in the world, but Mark and Jacob never got the chance to grow up.

"It's on me now," she said. "I want to continue to work in their name, do as much good as possible."

The agency is seeking those interested in becoming foster families and also volunteers. For more information, visit markandjacobfostercareministry.org or the markandjacobfoundation.org .

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260 .

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 'We write our story': Iskander family opens foster agency named for Mark, Jacob