Family Wanted

John and Kelsey are a loving and bonded siblings of Caucasian descent.

Kelsey is a 16-year girl whose foster mother describes her as a “giggle puss.” If you spend time with her you will quickly see why. She has the biggest smile and an infectious laugh.

Kelsey is diagnosed with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. She was using a wheelchair before coming into foster care, but now is now walking and making tremendous progress. She is getting stronger every day and working hard in physical therapy.

Kelsey likes to do karaoke, read and listen to music. One of her favorite singers is “Pink.”

Kelsey is in ninth grade where she receives support through her Individualized Educational Plan.

John, 15, likes Pokemon, watching TV and working out. He has lost over 100 pounds in the last year due to his hard work and determination to work out and eat healthier.

John also is in ninth grade where he receives additional support in the classroom through his Individualized Educational Plan. He is a talented teen who likes to cook and do woodworking projects. He is described as outgoing and engaging.

Legally freed for adoption, the children say they are looking forward to having a mom and a dad. They may want contact in the future with an adult sibling so a family should be open to maintaining this connection. Who can adopt?

Can you provide the guidance, love and stability that a child needs? If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stable source of income, and room in your heart, you may be a perfect match to adopt a waiting child. Adoptive parents can be single, married, or partnered; experienced or not; renters or homeowners; LGBTQ singles and couples.

The process to adopt a child from foster care requires training, interviews and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you, and if so, to help connect you with a child or sibling group.

To learn more about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.mareinc.org. Ironstone Adoption Party

Have you ever considered adopting a child with an intellectual, physical or developmental disability from foster care? Join the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at Ironstone Farm on Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in North Andover to find out more about the process and children in foster care of all ages with special needs. Learn about the services offered to families post-adoption, meet waiting children and their social workers and participate in activities. Pre-registration is required. Please call Victoria at MARE to learn more about this annual event (617)-542-3678 x135 or email victoriat@mareinc.org. You can also visitwww.mareinc.org to register.

This article was prepared by MARE.