Adoption Mixers at the Y: Connecting the Community

Local parent and Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA member Martha Coles has started something fantastic for many members of the community: monthly adoption mixers for parents, children, and families.

Every Friday at the Y is family night, where families can come and spend quality time together, whether watching a movie or swimming in the pool, or jumping around in the gymnastics center.

The first Friday of every month features something special as a part of family night. An adoption mixer is held in one of the multi-purpose rooms, with a pizza social and time for parents and children to talk and play.

“It is fantastic for my daughter to see other adoptive families,” said Coles. “It normalizes adoption for her and for the other kids when they see families like their own.”

Coles’ daughter was adopted in June of 2009. A family doctor suggested a support group for adoptive parents at another YMCA, but it was much further away. After running into other parents in the area with concerns similar to hers, Coles decided to start an adoptive group in Marblehead.

The Adoption Mixers at the Lynch/van Otterloo Y began in December, and they always take place on the first Friday of the month from 6-8 p.m.

The mixers are open to anyone who has been touched by adoption, and have since been attended by many parents, children, siblings, and cousins.

The average age of the children is 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade, but there are infants as well and the group also welcomes adults who were adopted as children.

The children in the group are from all different backgrounds, and anyone who would like to participate is always welcome.

“We have no agenda, just to meet for pizza and play in the pool or gym, and talk about experiences we’ve had,” said Coles. “We want to connect adoptive parents and children within the community, and create a network of support beyond the mixers.”

For more information on the Adoption Mixers, contact Marianne Baker at bakerm@northshoreymca.org.