About
Children need more than a system; they need a village.
Foster parents often feel tired and alone. Most families foster for less than a year, citing burnout and lack of support as the reason they stop. At the same time, 85 percent of people who are not foster parents say they care about vulnerable children and want to help.
Foster Village bridges this gap between foster families and caregivers and those who want to help, meeting practical needs and providing holistic support beyond the system.
We help do this through three main programs:
Equipping Caregivers With Support
When a child is placed with a family, they often arrive with just the clothes on their back. Through our welcome packs and resource closet, families and children can get clothing, new beds and infant gear, toiletries and other basic necessities – completely free.
Connecting Families to Each Other
Foster families are often navigating a complex system and challenges that are unique to caring for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and family separation. They need to know they are not alone and need encouragement from others on the same journey they are on. By connecting foster families with other foster families, biological families and trusted resources, families are strengthened and empowered to continue fostering.
Advocating for Change in the System
Foster Village brings dignity to the children and families we serve, understanding the root causes of why a child ends up in the foster care system, facilitating relationships between foster families and biological families and replicating communities of support around the nation.
As we care for the caregivers, foster families are sustained and generations of vulnerable children and families are empowered to overcome adversity.
Our Mission
Foster Village East TN aims to support families in McMinn, Monroe, Meigs, and Rhea Counties that are involved with the foster care system. We believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving home. There is no reason in America that this can’t be accomplished. So, with all our volunteer spirit here in East Tennessee let’s be the village these kids and families need. Foster Village East TN wants to connect caring community members and families involved with foster care to provide a village of support. This support helps keep families together and foster families from experiencing burnout. It is time to change the narrative for children experiencing foster care.