Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange - MARE

05/31/2026

🌟 Meet Justice—this week’s Boston Globe Sunday’s Child! 🎮📚

Justice is social, caring, and full of humor that brings smiles to everyone around him. He has an easygoing, welcoming personality and loves connecting with others—whether he’s joking around or just spending time together. 😄💛

A big reader, Justice especially enjoys anime and graphic novels, diving into imaginative storylines and following his favorite characters. 📖✨ These stories spark his creativity and give him a fun way to relax and express himself.

In his free time, Justice loves getting out for a good meal—Popeyes and Applebee’s are two of his favorite spots and always put a smile on his face. 🍗🍔 He’s also proud of his gaming skills and likes to joke that he’s a “professional” video gamer—whether he’s playing for fun or competition, it’s something he truly enjoys. 🎮🔥

Justice’s warmth, humor, and love for connection make him a joy to be around. He shines when he’s sharing laughs and enjoying the things he loves. ✨

💛 Learn more about Justice:
https://hubs.la/Q04fgwmK0

05/28/2026

Join us for a day of learning, connection, and conversation at the 2026 Annual Adoption & Foster Care Symposium: Building Belonging Together: Strengthening Systems, Sustaining Families—Commit. Connect. Act.

This year's symposium is centered on youth voice, lived experience, permanency, and the shared responsibility of creating environments where every young person feels seen, supported, and valued.

The event will bring together youth and families with lived experience, caregivers, professionals, and community partners for meaningful discussions about strengthening systems, sustaining families, and building belonging together.

Whether you’re a current or prospective foster/adoptive parent, provider, advocate, or community member, we invite you to be part of the conversation and the action.

📅 Saturday, June 13, 2026
🕚 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
📍 Brockton, MA
🔗 https://hubs.ly/Q04jdJDF0

Register today and join us in building stronger connections and brighter futures for youth and families

05/27/2026

🌟 This week’s WBZ / CBS Boston Wednesday’s Child is Izabella, who also goes by Izzy, a confident, curious, and outgoing girl who brings energy and creativity wherever she goes.

Izzy loves exploring the outdoors—whether she’s participating in community activities or spending time gardening. 🌱 She approaches new experiences with excitement and curiosity, especially when it comes to trying new foods.

Creative and imaginative, Izzy enjoys arts and crafts and loves visiting the library to pick out new books to read. 📚 Whether she’s playing independently or with peers, she brings creativity, fun, and enthusiasm to everything she does.
One of Izzy’s greatest strengths is her strong voice. She confidently advocates for herself and isn’t afraid to ask questions, showing both self-awareness and determination. 💛

✨ Learn more about Izzy and her journey here:
👉 https://hubs.la/Q04fDdBx0

05/26/2026

👟 There’s still one more chance to take part in this year’s Walk/Run for Adoption season! 💛After the incredible community support shown at our previous walks earlier this month, we’re excited that Tammy is continuing the momentum with a Neighborhood Walk in Ashland on May 30.

Tammy, a Massachusetts resident and pageant contestant, was inspired to host the walk by her own lived experience in foster care and adoption.

“My inspiration comes from my own personal journey. I was once a child in the foster care system who was later adopted, and that experience has shaped who I am today.”

For Tammy, this cause is deeply personal. She remembers what it felt like to move from foster home to foster home hoping to one day find a permanent family. Through this walk, she hopes to help spread awareness about adoption and foster care while creating more opportunities for children to find safe, loving, and permanent homes.

“Every child deserves love, stability, and a place where they feel they belong.”

📍 Ashland State Park
📅 May 30
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Interested in participating? Reach out to Tammy directly for more information! 💛
📧 [email protected]

05/26/2026

Still hoping to run the 2026 ASICS Falmouth Road Race? Team MARE has a few charity bibs available! We’re looking for runners to represent the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at this year’s race in support of youth in foster care across Massachusetts in need of permanency.

Interested in joining us on the starting line this August? Apply today!
🔗https://hubs.la/Q04hSXpy0

05/24/2026

🌟 Meet John—this week’s Boston Globe Sunday’s Child! 🧩💛
John is a relaxed and easy-going boy who enjoys taking in the world at his own pace. He’s happiest when he’s engaged in hands-on activities, especially matching games that let him focus and explore in a calm, steady way. 🧠✨

He also loves to move—jumping on his mini trampoline is one of his favorite ways to have fun and let out some energy. 🏃‍♂️💫
John enjoys spending time with simple, familiar objects like a beaded necklace and other small items, taking time to look closely, explore, and interact with them in his own thoughtful way. 🔵👐

With his gentle spirit and quiet curiosity, John brings a peaceful and comforting presence to those around him. 💛
💛 Learn more about John:
https://hubs.la/Q04fdGrW0

05/21/2026

Looking to grow your family through adoption? Join us for an upcoming Southern Region Matching Event for families currently enrolled in MAPP or further along in the adoption process.

This event is an opportunity to learn more about children and teens in foster care in need of adoptive homes and connect directly with social workers to discuss potential matches for your family.

📍 Location shared upon registration
📋 Open to families currently in the adoption process

We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful opportunity to build life-changing connections for youth in foster care.

Register today: https://hubs.la/Q04hw3qq0

05/20/2026

🌟 This week’s WBZ / CBS Boston Wednesday’s Child is Joeseph, an incredibly kind and respectful teen with a big heart and a warm, positive presence.

Joeseph is well-liked by both peers and adults and truly cares about how others feel. He enjoys building connections and is often smiling, using his great sense of humor to make people feel comfortable and at ease. 💛

He loves playing games—especially Giant Connect 4, card games, and video games—and also enjoys staying active. ⚽ You can find Joeseph playing soccer, going for walks, or spending time at the gym working out. He also finds comfort and focus in using fidget toys.

Joeseph takes pride in his appearance and enjoys picking out clothes and shoes that reflect his personal style. Thoughtful, friendly, and fun to be around, Joeseph brings positive energy wherever he goes.

✨ Learn more about Joeseph and his journey here:
👉 https://hubs.la/Q04fCwCW0

05/20/2026

💛 Thank you for making the 17th Annual Jordan’s Walk/Run for Adoption such an incredible success!

Over the past few weeks, our community came together across Worcester, Northampton, and Taunton to walk, run, connect, and show support for youth in foster care and their path to permanency.

Because of this amazing community:
👟 over 500 participants joined us across all events
👥 27 teams showed up and fundraised together
💛 And together, we’ve raised $95,000 toward our $110,000 goal, bringing us 86% of the way there!

A huge thank you to our sponsors Jordan's Furniture, Florence Electric, KPMG, Bristol County Savings Bank, Insource, Floyd Advisory, Bluestone Bank, and Eastern Bank for helping make this event possible.

And of course, thank you to every walker, runner, volunteer, donor, team captain, Neighborhood member, and supporter who made this year’s Walk/Run season so meaningful. We’re already looking forward to next year.

A special thank you to our talented volunteer photographer, Jackie M., who took amazing photos at the Taunton event. You can view the photos here: https://hubs.la/Q04hldPM0

05/19/2026

We’re just a few weeks away from our LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration & Matching Event! 🌈 This special event is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and affirming families to connect in a welcoming, supportive environment filled with fun activities, community, and conversation. If you’ve completed MAPP training or are licensed to adopt from foster care in MA, another New England state, or NY, we’d love for you to join us.

Check out the original post below for details and registration information ⬇️

Are you an LGBTQ+ or affirming family interested in adoption from foster care? Join us for our LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration & Matching Event to connect with youth in need of adoptive homes.

Hosted by MARE and DCF, this Pride Celebration brings together LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and affirming families in a safe, welcoming space. Through fun, low-pressure activities, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know incredible youth and learn more about building life-changing connections.

📆Saturday, June 6, 2026
🕚 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Worcester, MA (exact location shared after registration)

If you’ve completed MAPP training or are licensed to adopt from foster care in MA, another New England state, or NY we encourage you to attend.

🔗 Register today: https://hubs.la/Q04fhHVg0