MARE in the News

(Springfield, MA) – On Thursday, November 2nd, at 10:30 AM, Mayor Sarno of Springfield will hold a reception to highlight the need for foster and adoptive parents in Western Massachusetts. The second annual celebration will open National Adoption Month in Springfield. The event will feature stories from adoptive parents and adopted youth, as we seek to raise awareness of the need for…

WILMINGTON — Of the 9,600 children in the Massa­chusetts foster care system, 850 are not connected to a potential adoptive home. Af­ter years of decline, the num­ber of children entering the U.S. foster care system nationally is again on the rise, with 437,500 children in foster care nationwide in 2016, according to the U.S. Administration for Children and…

Two local non-profits are teaming up for the month of June to help find permanent families for Massachusetts children in foster care.

The United Way of Greater New Bedford and the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) are working together to display the Heart Gallery, a travelling display of striking portraits featuring foster youth seeking adoption.

The main display…

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Sept. 24, 2018) - Eight years ago, the Kraft family and Patriots Foundation introduced Celebrate Volunteerism, a season-long initiative focused on recognizing community volunteers and promoting the importance of giving back to the community through service.

Throughout the 2018 season, the foundation will continue its Celebrate Volunteerism…

BROCKTON, MASS. (WHDH) - The Reids have been counting down the moments until they officially became a family of four.

Jay and his wife Heather finalized their adoption of siblings 4-year-old Maria and 2-year-old Will Friday during National Adoption Day.

“We have wanted children since the very beginning and we had some struggles along the way, and by the…

BOSTON (CBS) – Friday was one of the most joyful days you can imagine because thousands of foster children across the country have found their forever homes. Including more than 100 kids here in Mass.

It’s National Adoption Day and for a little boy we introduced you to on Wednesday’s Child, the dream is now real.

“Today my…

BOSTON - It was a very special day for dozens of Massachusetts families as 136 children in foster care got their forever homes.

Three-year-old Josiah was one of 26 children with finalized adoptions in Boston. Across the state, more than 130 got their forever families as a part of National Adoption Day.

"Today we are adopting Josiah! After six…

Vanessa and her husband Clay always planned to adopt after having children of their own, but sadly they found out they would not be able to have biological children. In July 2016, they learned about the Massachusetts Adoption Recourse Exchange (M.A.R.E.) and decided to start the adoption process. After two years, they were able to adopt two siblings (ages 10 and 12) on…

The following is the most recent installment of the Concord Journal/Wicked Local Concord Volunteer of the Week, where we spotlight members of the community who have made significant contributions as volunteers.

This week, the spotlight shines on Concord resident Krsiten Ferguson, a volunteer at…

BROCKTON — Six-year-old Laila Pacheco smiled as a judge and family members sang “Happy Birthday” to her.

It wasn’t the only cause for celebration. Friday also marked the Taunton girl’s adoption by her grandparents.

“It feels humbling and we feel very blessed,” said Michelle Pacheco about the adoption and her…

BOSTON (CBS) — Friday was one of the happiest days you can imagine for dozens of children here in Massachusetts. That’s because it was the 17th National Adoption Day celebration in Massachusetts. Many kids have found their forever families.

At courthouse ceremonies, everyone was smiling ear to ear. Six-year-old Darison was beaming as the couple who’ve…

WORCESTER — In Worcester Juvenile Court Friday morning, when session clerk Franklin Ponte announced “this adoption is final and irrevocable,” Judge Carol A. Erskine handed her gavel to Leevi Borg and his new sister Ella Sophia.

The children then banged the gavel three times, making Ella’s adoption final. The courtroom then filled with cheering…

WORCESTER, Mass. - It was a special day for 140 children who have been in state foster care in Massachusetts as they were formally adopted as a part of National Adoption Day.

The adoptions took place at six courthouses across the state, including one in Worcester, where the Curry family became a family of five.

Boston 25 News introduced you to the Curry family of…

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – Fourteen western Massachusetts families grew during child adoptions at Holyoke Juvenile Court Friday.

It was a joyous day as these couples adopted children who had been in their foster care. Families such as Jeremy and Kristi Tessier of Hampden, who formally adopted three brothers, in addition to another child they had adopted previously.

Kristi…

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Juvenile Court Judge Joan McMenemy asked 9-year-old Joshua Codding what he liked most about living with his two moms, who officially adopted him Friday.

"The family," he said from a table in the courtroom.

"The mac and cheese," his grandfather reminded him from the sidelines.

The Coddings were one of six Berkshire County…

AVON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Jordan’s Furniture was a winter wonderland Sunday for adopted children and their families.

At the private event, in celebration of National Adoption Month, the children and families got to explore the store’s annual Enchanted Village.

Jordan’s furniture in Avon is hosting a private event to families who adopted…

BROCKTON — Six-year-old Laila Pacheco smiled as a judge and family members sang “Happy Birthday” to her.

It wasn’t the only cause for celebration. Friday, Nov. 22 also marked the Taunton girl’s adoption by her grandparents.

“It feels humbling and we feel very blessed,” said Michelle Pacheco about the adoption and her…

SUDBURY – When they first saw the boy with the big, wide brown eyes and Batman pajamas, Lena and KC Currie felt an instant connection.

The couple were interested in adopting and were at an adoption event when they saw a photo of Joey, then 18 months old. At the time, he had been staying in a loving foster home.

“It put a face to what was an…

(WHDH) — In the time of social distancing, there is a bright spot of connection.

Janet and David Kelley welcomed 2-year-old “Little Bee,” as they call her, into their home through the foster system last fall. Now, she is officially their daughter.

“We fell in love with her right away,” Janet Labadie-Kelley said. “It was love at…

When couples decide to welcome a child into their family from the foster care system, it is done so with the understanding that a child will become part of a permanent and stable unit. For so many children in the foster care system, nearly 8,000 in Massachu­setts alone, the ultimate hope is to be reunited with their biological parent or extended family.

However, for approximately…

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, or MARE, is raising awareness about the need for foster and adoptive families.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month.

Lisa Funaro is the executive director of MARE.

"There's over 800 kids on any given day who don't have a family identified for them," Funaro…