Help Stephanie raise money

On November 22, 2024, National Adoption Day, we officially became family. Every day, I count my blessings for Noah coming into my life. To know him is to love him as he brings light, love, and joy to every moment. 

I am honored to run for MARE again this year. MARE creates life-changing connections for the children and teens who wait the longest in Massachusetts foster care without permanent families, including children of color, teen and young adults, sibling groups, those with disabilities, and LGTBQ+ youth. 

There are 5,500 youth in Massachusetts foster care with 2,500 with a goal of adoption. There are 1,400 youth unmatched with the goal of adoption. Youth in foster care face incredible obstacles, but those who are adopted from foster care are:

50% more likely to attend college;

50% less likely to be arrested;

47% less likely to become homeless;

24% less likely to be unemployed;

23% more likely to graduate from high school.

Without a permanent family, youth in foster care are vulnerable to poverty, homelessness, criminal justice system involvement, poor health, unplanned pregnancy, and other life altering events:

82% of male youth have been arrested; 59% of female youth arrested;

71% of young women experience unplanned pregnancies by 21 years of age;

74% report foregoing medical care due to cost;

68% of young women receive food stamps, 9 times that of their peers;

40% are homeless at some point.

MARE works to build permanent family connection. All of their services are designed to bridge the gap for kids in foster care to safe, permanent families.

I am honored to be apart of Team MARE again this year, because every child deserves a permanent, stable, and loving home.