MARE's "Art & More" Online Auction
Monday, November 2 to Thursday. December 10
Pittsfield, Hadley, Worcester, Cambridge, Boston, Salem, Brockton and Springfield, MA
to RSVP, please call the National Adoption Day phone line at 617-748-2086.
Eight courthouses across Massachusetts will celebrate National Adoption Day on Friday, November 20, 2009. On this special day more than 200 children will be adopted from foster care into loving families. Please plan to join us!

Celebrate National Adoption Day
Friday, November 20, 2009
Opens at 9:00 a.m.
For more info, contact Kristin Erekson at MARE at 617-542-3678 or kristine@mareinc.org.
In celebration of National Adoption Day in November, MARE will be auctioning off a number of fun and unique items, including 100 rare art items, in its "Art & More" Online Auction. Do some holiday shopping AND help find adoptive families for children and teens in foster care. Check back often to see what's new. Feel free to place a Watch on your favorites, so that you'll know as soon as bidding begins! If you'd like to donate an item, you can donate it on the Auction Website or contact Kristin Erekson.

The Heart Gallery
November 2 - November 16 - South Station, Boston (1 South Station, Boston)
November 16 - January 4 - Boston Public Library, Boston (700 Boylston St., Boston)
The Heart Gallery is a portrait exhibit to raise awareness about Massachusetts children available for adoption. For more information about the Heart Gallery or to find out how you can help, please contact MARE at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or 1-800-882-1176.

DCF Metro Informational Meetings 
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Metro Regional Office, 30 Mystic Street, Arlington, MA.
For more information or to RSVP, call 781-641-8275.
Learn how you can change the future of a child in need by becoming a foster or adoptive parent with
the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. 
 

A Look at Adoption 
Saturday, October 24, November 21, and December 19, 2009
2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Adoption Community of New England, Inc., 45 Lyman Street  #2, Westborough, MA
For more information or to register, please ACONE at 508-366-6812 or visit their website www.AdoptionCommunityofNE.org
For those interested in learning about adoption, the seminar is: Acclaimed by adoption professionals and agencies, offered monthly to meet your adoption education needs, presented by experienced people in the field of adoption, and an unbiased introduction to all aspects of adoption.  Presentation and printed materials include:  Making the decision to adopt, starting the process and choosing an agency, types of adoptions available, domestically and internationally, updated agency lists with their programs and status, what to expect in the homestudy process, the language of adoption, and resources for singles and those over 40. Registration fee is $25.00 per person (members) or $30.00 per person (non-members) payable to ACONE.
 

DCF Boston Region Informational Meetings 
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Two sessions on the same day)
Boston Regional Office, 451 Blue Hill Ave., Dorchester, MA 02121
For more information or to RSVP, call 617-989-9211.
Learn how you can change the future of a child in need by becoming a foster or adoptive parent with
the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. 
 

Adoption & Foster Care Informational Meetings in the State of Massachusetts 
Ongoing
Please visit the Department of Children and Families website at www.mass.gov/dss (Click on Adoption, then Foster Care and Adoption Information Meetings to find the information meetings link)for a schedule of Informational Meetings or call 1-800-KIDS-508 (543-7508).
Learn how you can change the future of a child in need by becoming a foster or adoptive parent with
the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. 

Lutheran Social Services MAPP Training
Saturday & Sunday, November 28 & 29, 2009 and December 12 & 13, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Worcester, MA
Please call Catherine Stack at 508-791-4488 or email her at cstack@lcssne.org.
This training is for families who are interested in adoption.
 

Cambridge Family & Children's Service MAPP Training
Saturday, November 7, 14, 21 & December 5, 2009 (Four Saturdays)
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cambridge Family & Children's Service, 60 Gore St., Cambridge, MA 02141
Please contact Yael Lenkinski at 617-876-4210 ext. 160 or email her at ylenkinski@helpfamilies.org.
This training is for families who are interested in adoption. (This class will take place depending on sufficient enrolment)
 

DCF Western Regional Office MAPP Training
Rolling MAPP - Starting in September
Please call DCF office at 413-452-3350.
This training is for families who are interested in adoption.
 

Worcester DCF North and South Central Regional Office MAPP Training
Rolling MAPP - Thursday evenings
Please call DCF office at 1-800-KIDS-508.
This training is for families who are interested in adoption.
 

Xpress Yourself - Adopted and Foster TEEN GIRLS
Monday, October 26, 2009 (Six weeks)
4:00 a.m to 5:30 p.m.
TBA
Contact Samantha Pankow at smanthap@kinnect.org or 617-547-0909 to register or inquire about partial scholarship opportunities.
Join the Center For Family Connections' Teen girls group that is providing multi-artistic forms of expression for those touched by adoption or foster care. The cost is $250 for 6 sessions with al materials included. The Led by Jennifer Eckert, MSW along with Jiyeon Hong , and Samantha Pankow. Advanced regitration is required.
 

Baby Care for Pre-Adoptive First-Time Parents
Wednesday, November 7 and December 5, 2009
6:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m.
Adoption Community of New England, Inc., 45 Lyman Street  #2, Westborough, MA
For more information or to register, please ACONE at 508-366-6812 or visit their website www.AdoptionCommunityofNE.org
Learning modules and instruction include: feeding, bathing, clothing and nurturing your new adoptee in the first two years of life; lifelike dolls for hands-on practice with a pediatric nurse's supervision; diapers, bottles, bathtubs and clothing available for comparison; resource materials for participants who will be parenting a newborn through two year old. Choose from one of the scheduled classes or call to set up a private class at another time. (Class enrollment is limited to 12 to allow for hands-on practice and individual help.) Private classes are scheduled based on instructor availability for an additional fee of $20.00 per person.

Triad Group
Saturday, November 7 and December 5, 2009
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Adoption Community of New England, Inc., 45 Lyman Street  #2, Westborough, MA.
For more information or to register, please ACONE at 508-366-6812 or visit their website www.AdoptionCommunityofNE.org.
Meet with other adult triad members in this professionally facilitated group.  To RSVP, either e-mail or call the office. This is a free support group open to birth parents, adoptees and adoptive parents.
 

"We Are Family" Support Group
Thursday, November 19 and December 17, 2009
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
First Connections, 111 ORNAC, Suite 1009, Concord, MA (Emerson Hospital Campus)
Mary Rowlinson, R.N. at 978-287-0221 or mrowlinson@jri.org.
Ongoing monthly group for parents who are providing foster care, or who adopted a child at age 3 or older. No fee.
 

Adopted Persons Meet for Discuss
Wednesday, October 28, November 18 and December 9, 2009
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Adoption Community of New England, Inc., 45 Lyman Street  #2, Westborough, MA.
For more information or to register, please ACONE at 508-366-6812 or visit their website www.AdoptionCommunityofNE.org.
Join with other adoptees for an informal discussion led by an adoptee experienced in group facilitation.  This group is open only to adopted persons. This program is free, but RSVP by the Monday before the meeting is greatly appreciated. Only those who are registered will be notified if cancellation is necessary.
 

A Support Group for Waiting Parents
Saturday, October 24, November 21 and December 12, 2009
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Adoption Community of New England, Inc., 45 Lyman Street  #2, Westborough, MA.
For more information or to register, please ACONE at 508-366-6812 or visit their website www.AdoptionCommunityofNE.org.
Meet with others who are also in the "waiting" stage of their adoption process. Each session focuses on a specific issue and also allows time for open discussion. This is a professionally facilitated meeting providing a great opportunity for meeting and sharing. This program is free, but RSVP by the Monday before the meeting is greatly appreciated.
 

Camp to Belong and Sibling Connections
Creating enduring relationships for siblings who experience foster care. Through innovative programs and practices, we provide year-round connection opportunities for brothers and sisters who are separated when placed in foster care. Camp To Belong is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reuniting siblings separated when placed in foster care. Summer campers take part in events designed to help deepen the sibling connection. Apply now for August 2009: http://www.siblingconnections.com/ctb.html.
 

Adoptive Family Mixer
Mondays
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Together in Motion, 1 Broadway, Arlington, MA
For more information, please call Erik or Katherine at 781-643-1377 or visit their website at www.togetherinmotion.com.
Together in Motion offers a sunny play area with a padded floor filled with soft play blocks, stairs and slides, modules, balls, tunnels, and other age appropriate equipment for children up to six years old. There is a separate lounge area filled with comfortable seating and tables for snacks or building block play. The entry fee for the adoptive family mixer is a discounted rate of $5 per child.
 

GLBT Playgroup
2nd Saturday of each month
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North Parish, North Andover Massachusetts
For more information please contact Brian Tessier: www.proudparenting.com/user/93 or visit North Parish’s calendar: www.Northparish.org.
All are welcome and especially expectant parents to network and ask questions and share common questions and concerns.
 

Pathways to Permanency through the Trauma Center
Trauma Center in Brookline, MA
Rona Sandberg, LICSW, Clinical Coordinator at 617-232-1303 ext.223 or visit www.traumacenter.org.
The Pathways to Permanency Program strives to strengthen and support families in providing foster and adoptive children with a nurturing and stable home environment. The program offers services that include caregiver support, psycho-education, and consultation. These services are provided by clinicians with extensive experience working with childhood trauma and foster care and adoption related issues.
 

Adoptive Families Together Parent Group (a program of MSPCC)
Ongoing
9 different locations in Massachusetts
For more information and group locations, please contact Patty Brady at Adoptive Families Together at 617-587-1554 or pbrady@mspcc.org. Info can also can be found on www.mspcc.org.
 

Gay & Lesbian Adoptive Family Study
Seeking Participants: Gay and lesbian individuals or couples who have adopted a child
Participation: Completion of a web-based survey.
For more information, please Contact Dr. Scott Ryan at 1-850-644-9747 or email him at sryan@fsu.edu.
 

The Transition to Adoptive Parenthood Project (TAPP), Abbie Goldberg, Ph.D., Department of Psychology Clark University
The Transition to Adoptive Parenthood Project is aimed at exploring the transition to adoptive parenthood in a diverse group of families. They are asking you to help them understand your experiences as you prepare to become, and then become, parents. For example, What things make this transition easier or harder? What are your feelings about the adoption process? What are the expected and unexpected challenges and joys that you face? Your participation is very much needed and appreciated. Couples who participate in this project will be interviewed individually either in person or by phone during the preadoption period, and then again three months after the adoption. As a token of appreciation, you will be paid for your participation in this project.
Please contact Abbie Goldberg through her website at www.clarku.edu/faculty/goldberg for more information.