On July 20th, at the Roller Kingdom in Hudson, MA, families in all stages of the licensing process, MARE staff, and The Neighborhood community members came together to support a matching event geared towards finding permanent connections for youth with disabilities.
"Youth with disabilities are often overrepresented and underserved in the system," shared Kristina Russell, MARE's Specialized Recruitment Coordinator. "This space gives us an opportunity to have a smaller event that's catered towards these kids' needs, and I'm happy to see so many people come together and give the kids this special day."
Kristina's hope is that events like these plant seeds and spark interest, excitement, and commitment in families and community members about working with and supporting youth with high support needs. Even if adoption isn’t the immediate outcome, each conversation and connection lays important groundwork for the future.
That groundwork is something Kristina approaches with thoughtfulness and intention. Two days before the event, she hosted a virtual preparation session for families, volunteers, and staff. She walked participants through ways to connect with children who are non-speaking, use wheelchairs, or have other significant disabilities. In an email after the event, one family reflected, “I thought the pre-event was really good. It at least started me in the right mindset for the event. This is their day!” By offering this preparation in advance, Kristina helped set a tone where everyone arrived ready to engage and created an environment that felt welcoming and inclusive.
The community spirit was palpable from the moment everyone showed up, and the event ran so smoothly because of the many hands that made light work. The Neighborhood volunteers, many with adoption experience, skated and played alongside the youth. Social workers and supervisors from DCF arrived ready to greet families, share information, and talk about specific children in their care. One volunteer even brought her child, whom she first met at a MARE matching event five years ago and later adopted, to come help out, a beautiful reminder that adoption is not just a possibility discussed at events like these, but a lived reality that changes lives.
The same spirit of inclusivity extended to the environment itself. Accessibility was a priority, and Roller Kingdom's manager, Jeff, went above and beyond to make sure every child could fully participate and feel comfortable. The facility was wheelchair accessible, and with the support of staff and volunteers, even some children who use wheelchairs were able to take to the rink. Lighting was softened, music kept low, and a calming area was set aside for anyone who needed a break. Stocked with fidgets, sunglasses, weighted vests, and other sensory tools, the space was ready if needed.
Kristina received feedback from the families that they deeply valued having the chance to speak directly with DCF workers in person. They also appreciated the variety of resources available on raising and advocating for children with disabilities. For those not ready to adopt, opportunities to become a Visiting Connection offered another meaningful way to make a difference in a child's life.
One Neighborhood volunteer shared, "This was my first time volunteering with MARE and I had the unique pleasure of sitting and spending time with these kids, and it was such a beautiful learning experience. They are wonderful souls, and they laugh and play and fill your heart with joy. If you have the passion and commitment to do so, please consider these very special kiddos."
Photos courtesy of Eli Jarsky
Together, we are building a community where youth with disabilities are advocated for and given the opportunities they deserve to connect with loving, permanent families. "I am so grateful for all of the people that attended because it truly does take a village to raise a child, especially those with disabilities. We had such a great outpouring of support," Kristina shared.
From this event, she now has a list of local families open to adopting youth with high support needs, volunteers eager to assist in recruitment, and a strong collaboration with DCF that allows families to get the information they need. It truly takes a village, and thanks to the dedication of everyone who showed up to this event, that village is strong and growing.
If you’re moved to get involved, there are many ways to take that first step. Whether you open your heart and home as an adoptive parent, join The Neighborhood to support youth through community engagement, or become a Visiting Connection to build meaningful one-on-one relationships, your involvement makes a difference.
