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The Foundation originally shared Maya and Hannah’s adoption story in 2019. We caught up with them in June 2025 to hear how the support of a permanent, loving family has changed their journey. 

In June 2019, we visited Massachusetts to meet with Maya and Hannah, sisters who were adopted through the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® program. The girls bravely shared the incredible pain and neglect they experienced before adoption because they want other children to be adopted too.

“I remember my birth parents were so drunk one time they passed out behind the wheel,” Maya shared, her hands trembling. “I was 10. There weren’t floors in the house where we lived. Our birth dad would jump in dumpsters to find broken presents for our Christmas gifts. I had to be Hannah’s mom and sister.”

“She kept me alive. I would have been scared if we had been separated.” — Hannah

For six years, Maya and Hannah bounced between foster homes and living with their birth parents. Their lives changed forever when they met their Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, Laura.

At first, Maya told Laura that she wanted to be separated from Hannah because she didn’t want to impact Hannah’s chances of being adopted. Laura said no. She assured Maya that she would find a family that wanted to adopt them both. “And she did,” Maya said with a huge smile. “I knew that I wasn’t a troubled kid. I know I’m here for a reason. I just hoped someone would take that chance on me.”

Maya and Hannah were adopted by Dana and Barbara in 2017. The couple had raised three sons, but felt they still had more love to give. Their youngest son, Nathan, was still living at home when Maya and Hannah joined the family. “Laura will forever be a part of our family,” Barbara said. Maya was quick to chime in, “I love Laura. I have no idea what would have happened to us if she hadn’t found us our family.”

Today, the sisters, ages 16 and 11, are thriving together in their forever home. “Before we adopted the girls, Hannah had never spent an entire year in the same school,” Dana said with tears in his eyes. “But this year, she has friends and participated in the school play…I was so proud to see her on stage.”

Maya enjoys drawing, which she said helps her to process her emotions and heal from the trauma she experienced. “I’ve started dance classes,” she added.

Maya has perspective beyond her years. She summed up her journey by saying, “Foster care is like a war. The foster homes are little battles. Adoption is like the white flag that goes up at the end of the war. It’s time to settle down and rebuild everything that was destroyed. Thank you to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for giving me and my sister a mom and dad who love us and a second chance for a bright future.”

An Update to Maya and Hannah’s Story 

So much has changed in Maya and Hannah’s lives. But Barbara and Dana’s love and care remain constant. 

Empowered by her family and mentors, Maya overcame challenges to earn her GED. Now, she is expecting a baby boy and looks forward to returning home to be with her family during her transition to motherhood. 

Hannah is entering her senior year of high school. She is learning how to be a connected and informed citizen through a week-long extracurricular program this summer. She also started a part-time job at a local coffee shop. One of the highlights of the past school year was going to junior prom with her friends. Hannah is looking forward to getting her driver’s license soon.  

Our work is not complete until every child has a permanent home and a loving family. If you are interested in learning more about foster care adoption or have considered how you can grow your family through adoption, download our free, step-by-step guide and explore other ways you can get involved to help.