Wednesday's Child

Our weekly "Wednesday's Child" news feature is hosted by news anchor Jack Williams and airs during the Wednesday 6:00 p.m. newscasts on WBZ-TV 4 Boston. "Wednesday’s Child" is successfully increasing public awareness of the needs of children in foster care who are waiting to be adopted. Only New England’s legally free children are featured each week.  These children are primarily school-aged children, children of color of all ages, sibling groups and children who face intellectual, physical or emotional challenges. The first "Wednesday's Child" segment aired on WBZ-TV 4 Boston on October 7, 1981. MARE has been coordinating this program since its inception. 

This week’s "Wednesday’s Child" -  Marina, 4, who was filmed at Pier Park in East Boston.

Marina, 4

Marina is a beautiful and active 4-year-old girl of Russian and Jewish ancestry. Marina has been in a stable foster care placement for over a year and has made tremendous gains during that time. She has increased her communication skills, fine and gross motor skills. She loves attention and is also able to develop attachments with others, including her foster mother. She enjoys sporting her foster mother’s sunglasses. Marina also likes playing with her stuffed animals, music, water, lights and playing outside.

Marina has been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, an Autism spectrum disorder.  Though her verbal skills are limited, she has gained skills in letting people know what her needs are. She uses a combination of single words, expressions and signs to communicate. She attends preschool where she receives physical, occupational and speech and language therapy on a weekly or daily basis. Marina also receives Applied Behavior Analysis services to further promote her developmental progress.

Marina attends daycare and has made progress in her interactions with other children, such as sharing and taking turns. Marina thrives on consistency and routine to help her continue to develop. Marina is legally free for adoption. She would do best in a two-parent home as an only child or one other child. Any interested family would need to be willing to provide the structure, consistency, and nurturing Marina needs in order for her to reach her full potential.

To learn more about Marina, and about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.mareinc.org. The sooner you call, the sooner a waiting child will have "a permanent place to call HOME."