Stories

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption welcomed Mike Zak as a member of its board of trustees, serving a three-year term. Zak is the owner of The Wenzak Companies, a Wendy’s® franchise organization, which owns 35 restaurants in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. "I can’t think of a better way to honor my friend [Dave Thomas] than to serve in this role and encourage others to support the Foundation’s commitment to finding permanent, loving homes for children waiting to be adopted from foster care.” Read More

Columbus, OH — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is proud to announce an expansion of its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, to find adoptive homes for children in Michigan's foster care system. This unique public-private partnership between the Foundation and the State of Michigan will fund 37 adoption professionals to serve youth at highest risk of aging out of foster care. Read More

Seattle, WA — "Now, we have a forever home," says Lilliana, who was adopted with her siblings Michael and Roman through the Foundation's Wendy's Wonderful Kids program. The adoption took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

Jacksonville, FL — "There is no hole in my heart anymore," says Daisy, who spent the first two decades of her life without a permanent home. Now, at 22, she finally has a forever family. With support from the Foundation’s Wendy's Wonderful Kids program, Daisy was adopted in Florida's milestone 100th virtual adoption. Read More

The Foundation is steadfast in our commitment to social justice and is determined to stand with and act in support of the Black community to advocate for policies that end structural racism, address the overrepresentation of Black children in America’s foster care system, and promote equitable opportunities for every child. Read More

St. Louis, MO — Jermesha, Floyd and Jermain were separated for five long years while in foster care. Their world changed when Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter Edna Green came into their life. “Siblings belong together,” shares Edna, “They come in to foster care together, they share trauma together, they have that bond.” Read More

Boulder, CO — In an op-ed for the Daily Camera, Wendy's Wonderful Kids adoption professional Chelsea Taylor says she and her colleagues are fighting harder than ever for the youth they serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We must shine a spotlight on this crisis and act, so that every child has the loving, permanent home they deserve," she writes. Read More

Columbus, OH — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is proud to announce an expansion of its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, to find adoptive homes for children in Nevada’s foster care system. Through a unique public-private partnership with the State of Nevada and The Adoption Exchange, 12 Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption professionals will serve youth over the age of nine, children with special needs and siblings who have been waiting in foster care the longest. Read More

Utah — Born into a family in which she suffered years of abuse, Ellie missed three years of school before being placed in foster care as a teenager. Her journey changed when she was adopted at age 19 through the Foundation's Wendy's Wonderful Kids program. In May 2020, she graduated from high school virtually, surrounded by her loving family. Read More

Portland, OR — The Scott family finalized their adoption of three siblings, with support from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Wendy's Wonderful Kids adoption recruiter, Edna Green. "Even during this pandemic, we had something glorious happen," says Edna. Read More