Stories

Some call it stories. Others call it a blog. But here you will find nuggets of goodness to use and -- you guessed it -- SHARE!

SHARE Charlotte's #SpotlightOnCLT: Foster Care

foster care

SHARE Charlotte’s #SpotlightOnCLT: Foster Care

#SpotlightOnCLT is SHARE Charlotte’s monthly content series that highlights a different cause or issue each month (often referred to as the "theme" of the month). This series allows us to explore the crucial work being done in that particular arena by our local nonprofit partners.

This March, we are leading a conversation about Foster Care. We will focus our spotlight on nonprofits whose core work supports the many facets of foster care including information sessions, applications, specialists, wrap-around resources, specialized programs, and transitioning from foster care.

This month, #SpotlightOnCLT is sponsored by our friends at Thompson. Thompson provides services from four core pillars: Early Childhood, Family Stability, Mental Health and Residential Services. They serve children (birth to 18) and their families with comprehensive services that empower them to achieve their goals.

"Trauma and abuse can seriously damage a child during their critical formative years. According to CDC data, 1 in 6 children have a mental health condition, and half go untreated. For children living below the poverty level, this increases to over 1 in 5, and access to treatment for these children is likely even lower. Thompson believes we can intervene early and interrupt cycles of trauma and abuse.  Our work centers on trauma-focused prevention and intervention services for children and families. " - Thompson

Learn more about Thompson at https://www.thompsoncff.org/.

Follow us all month long on social and in our newsletters (sign up here) to learn more about foster care in Charlotte, volunteer opportunities, events, and ways to get engaged.

Below we’ve curated a guide to Foster Care Nonprofit Partners who are part of the SHARE Charlotte family. 

Click the links to learn more and see their profile!

The Relatives: For young people in crisis, The Relatives steps in where no one else can. With a 50-year track record of finding solutions for the countless challenges confronting the people they serve, The Relatives is the source of hope in place of despair, acceptance in place of rejection and empowerment in place of helplessness. Our 24/7 Crisis Center provides emergency placement for kids in DSS custody. For up to 21 days, youth have a safe place to go where they and their families can work on the issues that brought them to our Youth Crisis Center.

Charlotte Angels: The Charlotte Angels mission is to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship. Check out their Love Box volunteer opportunity! 

Foster Village Charlotte: Foster Village Charlotte creates connections with dignity for children and families experiencing foster care by meeting urgent needs, providing educational and emotional support, and advocating as a collective community voice for children. Foster Village Charlotte (FVC) believes that strengthening the systems that support children experiencing foster care leads to a resilient next generation that breaks the cycle of childhood adversity and trauma. FVC has developed and launched a variety of programs under our three pillars: Equip, Connect, and Advocate.

  • Volunteer Opportunity: Join Foster Village during one of their three monthly volunteer trainings to learn more about Foster Village Charlotte- our mission, the system, and how YOU can play a part for good.
  • Event: Tuesday, March 26th. Village Bridge- Foster Care 101. As a part of the Village Bridge Workshop series, you'll engage with experienced foster parents and professionals who will share their stories and knowledge about foster care, get your questions answered by experts in the foster care community, and meet other compassionate individuals interested in fostering and build a support system for your journey.
  • Event: Drop In Tour March 14th, 8am-1pm

Machiah's House Inc: To improve the lives of young women who have aged out of foster care, through an innovative partnership of community resources that enhance their safety and quality of life.

Least of These Carolinas: LOT Carolinas’ purpose is to service the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children and families experiencing foster/kinship care. Through a community effort of local churches, businesses, and caring citizens and applying the Biblical principle of helping those in need to glorify God. Since 2013, our nonprofit has been a beacon of hope for children and families navigating the complexities of foster care in Gaston County and beyond.

Children's Attention Home: Children's Attention Home provides nurturing care and life-changing services for youth and families in need.

Congregations for Kids: CFK mobilized the community to be Champions for kids in the foster care system through four pathways of engagement: FOSTER, MENTOR, SERVE and GIVE.

Crittenton of North Carolina: They promote healing, hope and empowerment through education and comprehensive physical and mental health services. Their focus is on maternal health and support for girls in foster care.

Crossnore Communities for Children: Crossnore’s mission is to create healthy futures for children and families by providing a Christian sanctuary of hope and healing. They serve children in the child welfare system in North Carolina, including those who are at risk of entering and those who are transitioning out of the system, with an array of research-based services responsive to their needs.

Thompson Child & Family Focus: “All children healthy, all families thriving, all communities strong.” Thompson's approach to foster care is straightforward: we recruit, select, train, and support foster parents who are willing to care for children & youth with the most challenging needs and behaviors.

Poppy Muse Inc.: Assisting foster care youth with their transition into adulthood. Providing youth and young adults who are both currently in care, and those that have already transitioned out with wraparound services that include life skills, Career Development, advocacy, Free Therapy via our Health and Wellness program, resources for housing as well as funding for small bills via our “Emergency Displacement Fund”.

Share With Us!

We have so much great news to share from our nonprofit partners about their amazing work. But, we'd love to hear from you. Let us know if you have stories you'd like to tell and we'll make you a guest blogger!!