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Yesterday, a little girl named Bunny* ripped through her Christmas gifts. She tore into a box to reveal a new Minnie Mouse doll - her favorite. The 18-month-old gave the doll a hug, twirling around in her shiny red dress.
This was also Bunny's first Christmas as part of her "forever family."
Serena Parks - Bunny's adoptive mom - grew up in a foster home with a generous, loving family who accepted her as one of their own. Her positive experience in foster care led her to become a foster parent for dozens of DC children over the years.
But Bunny was family even before she was a foster child. Ms. Parks grew up with Bunny's grandmother - the two were foster sisters. Ms. Parks knew that Bunny's mom struggled with mental health issues, so she immediately made room in her life and her home for the little baby.
When it became clear that Bunny's mom was not going to be able to care for her daughter, Children's Law Center knew it was time to give Bunny the security of being adopted by Ms. Parks. We had watched their love for each other grow stronger every day.
With the adoption official, Ms. Parks is now planning for all the fun things they will do together in the coming year - including a trip to the Caribbean.
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