CLIENT: Adoptions with Love
Summary: Adoptions With Love is a nonprofit domestic adoption agency located in Newton, Massachusetts. The agency was established in 1986 with the goal of finding the best home for each child. AWL provides expectant parents, adoptive parents and adopted children compassionate care throughout the adoption planning and placement process, and throughout the child’s life. AWL has placed more than 2,000 newborns into loving homes over the last 35 years.
Challenge: When we first met the adoption agency, they requested help creating and implementing a special anniversary celebration – a family reunion of sorts – for all of the families touched by adoption. The AWL staff was small and were busy doing the work of providing counseling and care to birthmothers who were considering adoption and the potential adoptive parents who were waiting. There was a small committee of volunteers, but they needed direction, organization and a plan. That is where we came in.
Solution: TMS worked with the staff to create a plan for the day of events from 12-4 pm at a local camp and tennis/swim club. Once the venue was secured, we researched and managed all of the vendors and organized a day filled with activities for all ages. We pulled together a team of dedicated volunteers to help manage the day-of activities, too. We sought sponsorships to help subsidize the costs. We created save-the-date cards as well as printed invitations and response cards, a 16-page tribute book where families could place ads and local businesses could advertise. We organized sporting games, pony rides, a magic show, arts and crafts, swimming, tennis, basketball, a bouncy house and more. We provided a full BBQ lunch. The day was picture perfect, and we had over 500 people attend! We have also helped organize subsequent celebrations that have been equally successful.
