For over 40 years, Wednesday’s Child, a televised program in collaboration with MARE, DCF, and WBZ-TV/CBS Boston, has been dedicated to finding permanent, loving families for children in foster care. By hightlighting their voices and stories, Wednesday's Child plays a poweful role in helping them feel seen, and inspiring viewers to take action. As part of our WBZ retrospective, we are sharing Josh Lawrence’s story, a testament to the life-changing impact Wednesday's Child continues to have.
In 1994, at just 11 years old, Josh had already lived with 13 foster families and was staying in a group home. Despite the uncertainty of his future, he held out hope for an adoptive family. That hope led him to be featured on Wednesday’s Child, where WBZ-TV’s Jack Williams shared his story. He remembers the kindness Jack showed him off-camera, and the words of encouragement that stayed with him long after the cameras stopped rolling. Shortly after it aired, the broadcast reached the family that would go on to adopt Josh. “Wednesday’s Child most certainly, at the time, it felt like, saved my life,” Josh reflected. “It took me from a place that was good but wasn’t the way a kid wants to grow up.”
Watch the 1994 Wednesday's Child news clip here:
Now, 31 years later, Josh is a proud father of two and a successful business owner in Massachusetts. He gives back to his community by teaching chess to third through fifth graders at the Hingham library, and has built a life filled with purpose, love, and connection. Reflecting on his journey, Josh credits Wednesday’s Child with giving him the chance to build the life he always hoped for. “It felt like it (Wednesday's Child) saved my life,” Josh reflects. “Because they changed my life, I’m now able to change the lives of others.”
Josh’s story is just one of many that highlight the life-changing impact of MARE’s programs. Every child deserves a loving, permanent family, and with your support, we can make that a reality for the thousands of children and teens currently in Massachusetts foster care awaiting adoption.
You can help create more stories like Josh's by supporting our work here.
