What is MARE? We’re glad you asked.
The Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) is a statewide program dedicated to finding adoptive families for youth in Michigan’s foster care system who are legally free for adoption and do not have an identified family. Our goal is to ensure that every one of these children has the best possible opportunity to find a permanent, loving home with a forever family.
What drives our work at MARE is simple: every young person deserves to be truly seen, deeply valued, and unconditionally loved. When families open their hearts to adoption, they don’t just create a home--they transform a child’s future. We are honored to walk alongside you in this journey, inspired daily by the spirit of youth and the courage of families.
We help families and professionals
We serve as a central resource for both families and workers by photolisting waiting youth, helping prospective adoptive families navigate the process, and working alongside adoption workers and agencies and to find and support strong matches. We are not an adoption agency, but we partner with all agencies across the state in efforts to raise adoption awareness, recruit families, and improve outcomes for youth.
The MARE website
In addition to providing information on adoption and photolistings of youth for the public, our website also serves as a vital tool for tracking adoption data in Michigan. Adoption workers are required by the policy to enter information about youth into the MARE system. Families also use the public-facing site to inquire on youth they’re interested in. Youth and family adoption workers are then alerted to those inquiries and contact each other to explore if the family may be a match for the child.
Key components of our work include:
- Recruiting families for youth: We travel to events across the state, feature children through different media outlets, publish newsletters, and work directly with adoption workers to assist with their efforts in locating families.
- Photolisting youth: MARE operates Michigan’s online photolisting of waiting youth, featuring photos, videos, and narratives that give families the chance to learn about children who are available for adoption.
- Connecting families and agencies: We guide families to adoption agencies across the state and help them take the next steps in the adoption process.
- Supporting families: Through our Adoption Navigators and Match Support Program, we provide one-on-one guidance to help families understand the process, navigate challenges, and stay supported every step of the way.
- Advocating for youth: We advocate for youth by raising public awareness, collaborating on policies when invited, hosting Youth Advisory Board meetings, and leading the Michigan Adoption Oversight Committee.
We Believe
Children come with their own personalities, identities, strengths, and stories--and they need families as wonderfully unique and beautifully varied as they are. We welcome everyone with a heart for adoption to explore the possibility with us.
Take a Survey
We collect feedback on our services as well as on the agencies families work with. Please share your experience with us.
Want to help kids in foster care?
There are lots of ways you can do so. Some are small and some are large, and they all make a difference.
Questions? We have answers.
Our Adoption Navigators are ready to answer your questions and be sure you have the information you need.