My World Is So Much Brighter
The Foundation originally shared Maci’s adoption story in October 2018. We caught up with her in March 2025 to hear how having the support of a permanent, loving family has changed her journey.
Florida – Adopted just 51 days before her 18th birthday, Maci had all but given up hope of having a loving family. Placed into foster care at age 15 after the death of her parents, Maci said she had come to terms with being alone. “I was scared. I was lost. I felt hopeless. It was awful.”
But the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Maci’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® adoption recruiter, Stephanie, never stopped believing that Maci deserved a loving family. Stephanie became the first person who Maci knew she could trust.
With only months until Maci turned 18, Stephanie became aware of a relationship Maci had with a teacher at her school. Once Stephanie reached out, Maci’s teacher was eager to make Maci an official part of their family. Gigi immediately went to Maci and asked, “Would you be interested in us adopting you?”
“Once I got into the family, my world started to change, my mindset started to change, my future started to change,” said Maci.
Maci’s adoptive parents, Chris and Gigi, beam with pride when they describe their “phenomenal” daughter. Today, Maci is in college, studying art therapy. “She wants to combine her love of art with her empathy for others,” Gigi said.
Maci has the entire world open to her now thanks to the support of her new family, her Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption recruiter and the Foundation’s many supporters.
“I didn’t think that I would have a family again. I didn’t think I would go to college. I didn’t think I would have love, and with that, my world is just so much brighter.”
An Update to Maci’s Story
Fast forward to today, and Maci is thriving with the support of her permanent family. She earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology and recently received two master’s degrees – one in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and one in Business Administration.
“I am beyond excited to finally get my master’s and take on the world,” shared Maci.
Maci is now working in the child welfare space for a national non-profit organization, developing the skills of impacted youth and supporting leaders across various jurisdictions. She hopes to continue her career as an advocate for systems change and youth empowerment.
If you have room in your home or in your heart, you can help a child, like Maci, waiting for a family right now. Explore ways to get involved and join our caring community that makes stories like these possible.