When Gianna started volunteering with MARE in 2020 as a Visiting Connection, she didn’t know it would change the course of her life and set her on a path that would eventually lead to her Yasmine.
At MARE, we believe no child should navigate the foster care system without a network of advocates and supporters, and we’re building a community to make that belief a reality. Everyone has the power to make a difference, and one way to get involved is by becoming a Visiting Connection. A Visiting Connection is a structured, DCF-supported relationship in which a caring adult shows up for a young person, offers consistency and mentorship, and stays involved even when adoption isn’t the goal.
As Gianna spent time with the youth she was paired with, she experienced how powerful that steady, supportive presence could be. The positive impact of that relationship, and the fulfillment she felt, sparked her interest in learning more about fostering.
Her connection with Yasmine, who was 11 years old at the time and who had spent 10 year in care, began at a MARE Meet & Greet in May 2024. Yasmine’s social worker immediately sensed the potential for a strong match between the two and connected them to each other. They met again soon after, bonded quickly and naturally, and just one month later, in June 2024, Yasmine moved in.
When Yasmine first arrived, her transition moved more quickly than what is typical, due to case-specific circumstances, but even from the very beginning, their time together was shaped by intentional trust-building. Yasmine was nervous about sleeping alone those first nights, so Gianna pulled mattresses into the TV room and turned bedtime into nightly “sleepover parties.” For an entire month, they fell asleep side by side, creating a sense of comfort and safety.
Gianna recalls that early stretch as intense, but transformative. “Adopting from foster care can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding,” she shared. “Being able to support a child, guide them, and honor the connections from their past is just wonderful.”
When asked what she remembered from their very first meeting, Yasmine smiled and said, “She was very funny and happy all the time.”
Preparing for adoption was a long journey supported by a strong network that Gianna relied heavily on. “What helped me prepare for adopting from foster care was having lots of support systems in place. DCF helped set up some of those support services and so did MARE. Having a therapist was super helpful as well as therapeutic mentors and parent aids. The MARE mentor program and going through MAPP training really helped during the process, too,” Gianna said. “We felt supported by all the people who came for us and advocated for us.”
Since then, their bond has only deepened. Together, they enjoy trips to the park, the mall, the shore, the library, and the movies, and they love spending time with their extended family. They also like to read together and play games.
Photos courtesy of Judy West
“My favorite thing about being a parent is getting to watch Yasmine be excited and passionate about something and watching her grow as a person,” Gianna shared. “I hope she follows her dreams and never gives up, and knows that I’ll always be there to support her and back her up. I want her to follow her dreams and passions.”
One of Yasmine’s dreams is to be a hearing doctor to help hearing impaired and deaf people. When asked what she wanted most from a family, and what she hopes the world understands about her story, she answered, “There are people out there who want you. I wanted a family who was nice and who would give me lots of hugs.”
And hugs she would get. Since Yasmine has moved in, their home has been filled with more youthful energy and excitement which has grown tenfold as the two just recently finalized their adoption this National Adoption Day, on November 21, 2025.
When asked what she would tell those who might be thinking about the adoption process or who are just now hearing about adoption from foster care, Gianna responded, "Have patience, have a strong support system, and just keep pushing forward."
All it takes is one connection, one spark, and one person to alter the trajectory of someone’s life forever. For Gianna, volunteering with MARE and becoming a Visiting Connection for a youth in care ignited a passion and led her to wanting to learn more about foster care and adoption. However you feel called to show up, whether it's by becoming an adoptive parent, joining The Neighborhood, or becoming a Visiting Connection, you can make a difference.
Watch even more of Gianna and Yasmine's story below.
