Title: It Takes a Village, Building Community Support One Step at a Time
Date: March 18th, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm CST/ 12:30pm - 1:30pm EST
Description:
This training will provide a deeper understanding of Tennessee Kids Belong, an organization dedicated to supporting foster care through a variety of impactful initiatives. This session will explore the innovative ways Tennessee Kids Belong empowers communities to engage in foster care support, from advocacy and awareness to direct action.
Additionally, a local faith community from Chattanooga, Tennessee, will share their firsthand experiences implementing tools and strategies from Tennessee Kids Belong to make a tangible difference. They will discuss how they have mobilized their congregation to take action, providing wraparound support for foster families and child welfare workers. Participants will leave with practical insights and actionable steps to strengthen foster care support within their own communities.
Presenter(s):
Charlotte Richardson,
Community Engagement Manager with Tennessee Kids Belong
Charlotte holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and spent several years as a foster care case manager with the Department of Children Services. During this time, she gained invaluable insight into the critical role community support plays in improving the foster care experience for children. Now, as the Community Engagement Manager with Tennessee Kids Belong, Charlotte is passionate about raising awareness for child welfare. She strongly believes in the power of community collaboration to support foster families and is committed to advocating for the needs of children within the foster care system.
Caroline Powell,
Foster Care Ministry Director with Ridgedale Baptist Church
Caroline has worked in the world of foster care for almost 5 years now. While she was getting her Bachelors in Sociology at Covenant College, she got to see the foster care system up close when she would visit her family who began fostering in 2016. After graduating, Caroline was a case worker for children in foster care in Chattanooga. Currently she serves as the Foster Care Ministry Director at Ridgedale Baptist Church where she gets to support foster/adoptive families through events and coordinating volunteers and where she is helping to plan a home called The Haven for children in foster care with higher level needs who need a place to stay until a foster home is found for them. Caroline loves spending time with her family and friends by playing board games, being outside, crafting, or baking!