It’s National Adoption Month, and according to the Dave Thomas Foundation, Michigan has about 10,000 children in foster care.

Two years ago, 15-year-old Bridgett faced removal from her foster home at Christmas. High school principal Jeremy Wright and his wife, Jennifer, already the parents of two young adult children, were surprised when their offer to take Bridgett in for a temporary emergency placement, turned into a permanent loving solution.

“When Bridgett came to us, she was addicted to drugs and alcohol,” Jennifer said. “She is 99% different from the day she walked into our house.”

The Thomas Foundation reports 38% of the young people it works with have experienced a failed adoption and were returned to foster care, something Bridgett Wright, now 17, understands firsthand.

“At the age I was, I didn’t think I would ever actually find a family that I was going to stay with forever because of how many times I moved,” Bridgett said. “It’s just disappointing. It makes you feel kind of alone.”

Bridgett has a message for other foster children who may be feeling discouraged this holiday season: Don’t give up.

The Dave Thomas Foundation works with kids who are typically around 14 years old, and about 87% have a diagnosed special need, like ADHD or trauma.