Meet Gabriella, a Bridge Team member and former foster youth. As a first-generation college student at Wayne State University, Gabriella pursued her Bachelor of Social Work while engaging with the Bridge Program for community and support. 

In 2022, she joined TNFC as a Peer Support Specialist and created a board for Alumni to learn how to advocate locally, statewide and nationally,  for those navigating the complexities of foster care. Her dedication and passion did not go unnoticed, leading her to a well-deserved promotion as a Transition Navigator.   

Gabriella's commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and change is evident in every aspect of her work. She champions effective change at the individual level by working closely with participants, local level by attending legislative forums and community meetings surrounding child and social welfare, and at the national level by participating in political conversation and voting annually, striving to ensure that young adults have the resources and support they need to be sustainable and self-sufficient enough to maintain and eventually pass down to their own children.  

"Our lives begin to end, the moment we become silent, about the things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr. "You are resilient, brave, and so much STRONGER and more POWERFUL than your fears." – unknown. These empowering messages lie at the core of Gabriella’s work and are reminders she often shares with those she mentors. 

In addition to her role at TNFC, Gabriella serves as the Chairperson of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board, called Wraparound I.D.E.A.S. She has created the Collaborative Leadership Board, an alumni board teaching former fosters how to strategically advocate on all levels of government, a women's mentorship group called Women 2 Women, and fostering an environment of support and empowerment for those who need it most. Her plans to pursue a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Policy, Legislation, and Public Health and Safety further demonstrate her commitment to making a lasting impact.