A Principal’s Act of Kindness Turns Temporary Shelter into a Forever Family
In a story that captures the true spirit of the holiday season, a Michigan high school principal opened his home to a troubled 15-year-old student facing a lonely Christmas—and ended up giving her a permanent family.
Back in December 2022, Jeremy Wright, then principal of Plainwell High School in Plainwell, Michigan, learned that one of his students, Bridgett, was being removed from her foster home. The teen, who had already cycled through approximately 20 foster placements after being taken from her biological mother’s care at age 8 due to addiction issues, faced the prospect of spending the holidays alone on a cot in a social services office.
Wright, 49, knew Bridgett had been struggling with marijuana use and had recently stolen money from her foster parent. Yet, moved by her situation, he and his wife, Jennifer, decided to take her in temporarily—just for two weeks—until a new placement could be arranged.
What started as a short-term act of compassion quickly evolved into something much deeper. Bridgett bonded with the Wrights and their two older children, and the “temporary” arrangement became permanent.
The early days were challenging. Bridgett continued battling substance issues, sneaking out, and dealing with the trauma of her past, including revelations of sexual abuse that left lasting nightmares. The Wrights installed a cowbell on her door to monitor her movements and eventually enrolled her in intensive therapy and a residential treatment program in Wisconsin.
When Bridgett returned, she was transformed—calmer, more focused, and ready to try. With the family’s unwavering support, including countless hours of therapy, she joined the track team, experienced her first vacations (including cruises), and dramatically turned around her academics. From passing just one class early on, she earned all A’s and B’s in her senior year.
Initially hesitant about adoption—”I never thought that it would happen,” Jennifer recalled—Bridgett eventually embraced the idea. On May 22, 2024, she was officially adopted, becoming the Wrights’ third child.
Now 18, Bridgett still calls her parents by their first names, finding “mom and dad” a bit awkward after years without that stability. But she describes her new life as “living my princess life,” a surreal shift from instability to love and security.
The Wrights describe Bridgett as fun, feisty, loving, and the missing piece that completed their family. “It’s been a treat to watch her grow,” Jeremy says. Jennifer adds, “She’s got a really big heart.”
This heartwarming journey, first shared in a People magazine exclusive, serves as a powerful reminder of how one family’s compassion can change a child’s life forever—especially during the holidays when no one should be alone.
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