Circle of Friends

Adoption Associates 1163 Walnut St., Newton Highlands. 617-965-9369. adoptionassociates.org. e-mail adoptionassociates@yahoo.com.

Monthly Tuesdays. For Adoptive Parents of Elementary School Age Children. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

March 6: GLBT Group for Adoptive Parents. Meets on Tuesdays 9 - 10:30 a.m.

March 15: Group for Adopted Children Ages 8 - 11. 4 - 5 p.m.

Adoption Community of New England, Inc. 1750 Washington St., Holliston. Pre-register and RSVP at least 24 hours before events (including free offerings). 508-429-4260.odsacone.org.

March 3 & 31: Baby Care for Pre-Adoptive First- Time Parents. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. $60ppNM.

March 11: A Support Group for Waiting Parents. 4 - 6 p.m. Free.

March 17: A Look at Adoption. 2 - 5:30 p.m. An unbiased introduction to all aspects of adoption. $25ppNM

March 17: Birth Families Meet to Discuss Adoption. 10 a.m. - noon. Each meeting will have a focus with plenty of time for a frank and open discussion. Free.

March 24: Adoption Triad Group. 10 a.m. - noon. Meet with other adult members of the adoption triad who are not in your immediate triad. Share your experience and receive support as an adoptive parent, adoptee, birth mother, birth father or other family member. Free.

March 24: Introduction to China. 2 - 4:30 p.m. Seminar to educate Americans about China. Includes travel information about weather, food, water, shopping and safety issues; general info on Chinese culture such as the Dos and Don'ts, taboos, fondness (colors, numbers, animals); communications; gift giving; and an opportunity for questions. Free. April 28: The 34th Annual New England Adoption Conference. Milford. The largest adoption conference in the country. Pre-registration is required.

Adoption Resources 1430 Main St., Waltham. 781-647-5327. Ongoing

March 6: Monthly Orientation Meetings. 7-9 p.m. First Tuesday monthly. Provides information about all adoption programs. Free. Call 617-332-2218 or e-mail mwhitney@jfcsboston.org.

March 20: Using Ceremonies to Help Children with the Challenges of Adoption. 7 - 9 p.m. Learn how to put together a ceremony that will let your child know that his/her feelings are being understood and validated. Ways of celebrating adoption from infancy to teen-age years will be presented. Registration required. $10pp. 617-614-1999 or e-mail csheingold@jfcsboston.org.

May 22: Therapy: It Does Not Mean You Are Not Doing a Good Job. 7 - 9 p.m. Presented by three experienced professionals who specialize in adoption. Learn how they conceptualize adoption-related issues, and might work with you, your child, and your family. Registration req. $10pp. 617-614-1999 or e-mail csheingold@jfcsboston.org.

June 12: How Children Experience Growing Up Adopted. 7 - 9 p.m. Highlights how it feels to grow up adopted with a special focus on how adoptees feel about themselves and their families, and how they deal with relationships. Questions by participants will be a key part of the presentation. Registration required. $10pp. 617-614-1999 or e-mail csheingold@jfcsboston.org.

Center For Family Connections 350 Cambridge St., Cambridge. 617-547-0909. kinnect.org. E-mail: cffc@kinnect.org

March 21: Various Methods and Techniques Used at CFFC for Child Wellbeing. 9 a.m. - noon Covers Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and other techniques that make a difference in the lives of children who have experienced loss and trauma and the adults who raise them. $55pp.

First Connections Emerson Hospital, Rte. 2, Concord. 978-287-0221 or e-mail mrowlinson@jri.org.

March 21: Adoption Learn and Play Program: 3-month session for parents and their adopted children under age 5. Look at adoption-related books you can read to young children. Children are welcome to stay with parents or play in the supervised, adjacent playroom. Theme: Baby Sign Workshop. $25 per program. Registration is necessary.

Korean Adoption Circle Playgroup March 2 & 16: Korean Adoption Circle Playgroup: For families who have adopted from Korea. Korean Presbyterian Church, 2 Main St., Hopkinton. 10 a.m. - noon. $1 donation per child appreciated. Meets the first and third Fridays. Offers seasonal family outings and Ladies Nights Out. Contact Liz Thissell Turenne at ltt@charter.net.

Lutheran Social Services of New England 20 Hamilton St., 2nd Floor, Worcester. 508-791-4488. adoptlss.org.

March 29: Adoption Classes. 6-8 p.m. Learn about domestic and international options. Free. 24-hour advance reservation required.

Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) Boston. 617-54-ADOPT, 1-800-882-1776. mareinc.org March 3: DSS Central Mass Adoption Party. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ana Maria College, Paxton. A fun day for kids. Meet waiting children and talk with social workers. You might just fall in love. Everyone must wear sneakers. Pizza served. 508-929-2143. April 21: Springfield College Adoption Party. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Meet waiting children and social workers from the DSS Western Mass. officesin a fun setting. Indoor and outdoor activities, including arts and crafts, a "ropes" challenge course and large and small group games. Learn about "Living in Foster Care" from a panel of experienced teens. Dress for outdoor play; a light breakfast and lunch will be served. Springfield College, Springfield. 413-452-3362.

SPACE (Single Parents of Adoptive Children Everywhere) 508-429-4260 or 800-93-ADOPT. E-mail info@odascone.org.

March 2: Adults Only Dinner. Romano's Macaroni Grill, 50 South Ave., Burlington. 7 p.m. RSVP to Claudia at claudiacabral@comcast.net. Please provide your name, home and cell phone numbers.

March 23-25: "Cape Escape Weekend." Indoor pool, pub, breakfast room, game room, fitness center. Informal discussion time for parents with child care for children. BaySide Resort, Rte. 28, West Yarmouth. 508-755-5669. baysideresort.com. E-mail Kathy at cozette@rcn.com or Claudia at claudiacabral@comcast.net.

St. Mary's Adoptive and Pre-Adoptive Parents and Foster Care Providers Support Group St. Mary's Pastoral Center, 20 Summer St., Shrewsbury.

Ongoing: 7:30-9 p.m. All welcome. Generally meets the third. Thursday monthly. RSVP to Donna 508-842-2529.

The Rainbow Connection Playgroup St. Joseph Parish Center, 145 Holliston St., Medway. 508-533-5820.

March 20: Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month. 9:15-10:45 a.m. For parents and their children looking to make meaningful connections with others raising minority children in the suburbs.

Wide Horizons For Children 38 Edge Hill Rd., 2nd Floor, Waltham. 781-894-5330. whfc.org. Free Adoption Information Meetings. Register online or with Hillary Mauro at 781-419-4922 March 6 & 22: Waltham, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 10: Tatnuck Bookseller, Westborough. 10 a.m. - noon.

To add your adoption-related event or group to

Circle of Friends, e-mail calendar@baystateparent.com.

The deadline for the April issue is

Friday, March 9 at 6 p.m.