Spring Adoption Party

Prospective adoptive parent Patricia Ramirez, pictured left, of Dorchester takes some time to swing with 8-year-old Joab at the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange’s (MARE) Spring Adoption Party on Sunday, May 18, at the Hockomock YMCA in North Attleboro.

Adoption Parties give prospective families and waiting children, like Joab, the opportunity to meet in a fun and casual atmosphere. Last year, 23% of the Massachusetts children in foster care registered with MARE met their new families thanks to Adoption Parties. Founded in 1957, MARE exists to find "a place to call HOME" for CHILDREN in foster care, including sibling groups and children who are traditionally harder to place. So far, MARE has helped move more than 5,000 children from temporary care to permanent family life.

Photo by Jaclyn Mastromatteo.