The Charles River Regional Chamber has chosen Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange to be the nonprofit beneficiary of its 32nd Annual Golf Tournament happening in conjunction with its first-ever Pickleball Outing at Wellesley Country Club on Monday, Aug. 7.
 
Each year, the chamber’s golf committee selects a different local nonprofit whose mission includes working with children and families to be the recipient of a portion of the tournament’s proceeds. This year, the committee was moved by MARE’s mission to find permanent adoptive homes for children and teens waiting in foster care. The Newton-based nonprofit works throughout Massachusetts and aims to serve the populations of youth that face the biggest barriers to permanency; teens, children of color, sibling groups, LGBTQ+ youth, and those with complex medical or developmental needs. All of MARE's services are designed to bridge the gap for kids in foster care to safe, permanent families. Child Services engages in child-specific recruitment, finding an adoptive family to match a particular child’s needs. Family Support Services helps families navigate the complexities of the adoption process from their first inquiry through their training, licensing, and placement, all the way through to successful adoption, and helps prepare them for parenting a child with complex needs and trauma histories.
 
“The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) is so privileged to partner with the Charles River Regional Chamber on this collaborative effort to raise awareness about the need for foster care adoption in our region.  For over 65 years MARE has worked to find adoptive families for youth waiting in foster care, including teens, children of color, sibling groups, LGBTQ+ youth, and those with disabilities,” said Bridget Chiaruttini, MARE’s Executive Director. “As a small non-profit, our impact would not be possible without strong community
partnerships, hence we are so grateful for the support of the Chamber in providing this opportunity to shine a light on the needs of some of the most vulnerable youth in our communities.” Golf player registration is full but spots are still available for pickleballers and nongolf sponsors. 

The Village Bank is once again returning as presenting sponsor of the Aug. 7 tournament. Additional sponsors include Avidia Bank, Direct Federal Credit Union, LabShares Newton LLC, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, North Hill, and The Bulfinch Group.

The first-ever pickleball outing, sponsored by Kertzman & Weil and open to all levels includes an afternoon of pickleball play at the brand-new racquet center as well as access to a joint reception with golfers following play. Visit charlesriverchamber.com/pickleball to learn more.