READING, Mass., Sept. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Have you ever thought about adopting a child or sibling group? There are over 600 children in Massachusetts who are waiting for adoption right now. To learn if you may be the parent a child is waiting for, come to "The Adoption Option," this Sunday, October 2, 9:00 - 11:00 am, at Jordan's Furniture, 50 Walker's Brook Dr., Reading, MA.

Jordan's Furniture hosts the event in collaboration with the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) and the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF) to help find permanent families for children in state foster care. Adults and families who are interested in learning more about adoption are invited to this free informational event.

"In this day and age of technology, it is still essential to run events where adults and children have face time together," say Eliot Tatelman, President and CEO of Jordan's Furniture. "Our Adoption Option creates a fun and inviting atmosphere where these connections happen. We continue to support the adoption and foster care communities because we see so many positive outcomes and successful matches from our efforts," Tatelman concludes.

Adults new to the idea of adopting a child from foster care will attend a workshop in the IMAX theater to learn about the adoption process. New families are encouraged to arrive promptly at 9:00 am for this "newcomers' orientation" to make the best use of the Adoption Option's resources and opportunities. They'll also have the chance to meet with social workers and experienced adoptive parents for private conversations.

Prospective adoptive parents who have already begun the adoption process will be able to meet Massachusetts's waiting children and their social workers in an informal setting. They'll also be able to talk with experienced adoptive families and enjoy family entertainment, games, refreshments, and activities designed to encourage interaction with waiting children.

"Adoption Parties are MARE's most successful tool in placing children," said MARE's Executive Director Lisa Funaro. "We are delighted to partner with Jordan's Furniture to increase recruitment opportunities for children in foster care. These children want what most of us take for granted - the chance to blossom in a permanent, loving family."

In Massachusetts, nearly 2,800 children currently in foster care have the goal of adoption, and more than 600 of those children have no relative or other potential adopter. Nationwide, there are over 107,000 children in foster care in need of adoption. Older, school-aged children, sibling groups, children of color and/or children with special needs tend to wait the longest for families.

Prospective adoptive parents can be almost any age (21+); single, partnered, married, LGBTQ-identified; homeowners or renters; experienced parents or new to parenting. Families of various income levels can adopt, as long as they have a stable source of income to support a child. There are no fees to adopt a child from foster care. Financial subsidies may be available, and children adopted from foster care are eligible for a tuition-waiver at Massachusetts state colleges and universities.

For more information, or to register to attend The Adoption Option at Jordan's Furniture, please visit www.MAREinc.org or call MARE at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678).

MARE is a private, non-profit organization, founded in 1957 to find "a permanent place to call home" for children and teens in foster care, including sibling groups and children who are traditionally harder to place.

Jordan's Furniture is a nationally known six-store furniture retailer. Their innovative combination of entertainment and shopping has turned a local furniture store into a major retailer, drawing customers from all over New England. Philanthropy is a large part of the Jordan's business philosophy. During their 18-year partnership with MARE, Jordan's has generously hosted and financed many information meetings and recruitment events. As a direct result of Jordan's support, more than 350 children have found adoptive homes.

SOURCE Jordan's Furniture

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