Weekend Family Connections is a program that bridges the gap between waiting youth and supportive, caring adults. In partnership with contracted agencies and DCF, MARE pairs youth in foster care who are waiting for adoption with host families who are committed to actively incorporating the youth into their community and family life.
The host family provides the youth with opportunities to meet other adults in their lives, such as neighbors, co-workers, members of their faith communities, or sports teams. The goal of the program is to build connections that will ultimately result in the identification of an adoptive family while allowing the youth a positive experience with family life.
A Real Need
Among the youth who wait the longest for adoption are those ten years and older and living in residential care settings. Research shows that these youth are most likely to be adopted by someone who has already had the opportunity to get to know them as an individual. However for many of these youth, residential care leaves them with minimal natural networks and community supports.
