Untangling Foster Care in Charlotte
By Becky Santoro
In the ever-expanding and growing community of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, where nearly 400+ children navigate the complexities of foster care, we at Foster Village Charlotte stand as a beacon of support and hope. Established to address the tangled web of challenges these children and their families face, our mission is rooted in untangling critical issues such as insufficient resources, isolation, and fragmented information.
A Grassroots Movement Becomes a Beacon of Support
Our journey began in the summer of 2018, inspired by four of our foster moms who recognized the urgent need for a supportive community. We discovered a successful model in Foster Village Austin (the foundation that started this all) and launched Foster Village Charlotte after adapting it to our city. This initiative quickly became a vital resource, providing essential, welcome packs to foster families. These packs, filled with necessities, ensure families can focus on bonding rather than worrying about immediate physical needs. As of February 2024, Foster Village Charlotte proudly delivered our 1,000th welcome pack!
Tackling Isolation Through Community Building
Recognizing the profound impact of isolation on foster parents, we’ve actively worked to bridge the gap between caregivers and support systems. By fostering a community where foster and kinship parents can connect and share experiences, we've significantly reduced feelings of solitude and burnout. The efforts culminated in establishing a resource center in 2019, funded by a SEED20 Funding pitch competition, which now serves as a hub for gatherings, support groups, and resource distribution.
Innovative Responses to Service Gaps
With the launch of Project SOOTHe in 2020, we addressed the critical lack of services and long therapy waitlists. This program equips caregivers with sensory tools and play-based strategies to help manage children's trauma responses effectively. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further tested our resilience, prompting us to advocate fiercely for caregivers' needs during unprecedented times, enhancing our virtual support offerings to maintain continuity of care.
Advocacy and Education
Our advocacy efforts have extended to legislative achievements, including the NC Foster Parent Bill of Rights, signed into law in September 2021. We've also ramped up our educational outreach, combating harmful myths and providing accurate, comprehensive information to foster families. This initiative helps foster parents navigate the system more effectively and advocate for the children in their care.
Looking Forward
As Foster Village Charlotte continues to evolve, our commitment to these children and families remains unwavering. We are dedicated to expanding our services, refining our programs, and continuing our advocacy to ensure every child and caregiver in the foster care system receives the support and dignity they deserve.
Join Our Mission
We invite you to become part of this transformative journey. Become a monthly donor and help fuel our mission, every donation helps and everyone can make a difference.
Together, we can untangle the complexities of foster care and create a community of support and hope.
For more information on how you can help, please visit donation page - https://www.fostervillagecharlotte.org/donate
