Foster Village Charlotte

Each month, our Foster Village Charlotte team embraces a new challenge, and this month we focused on gratitude. We want to take a moment to express how thankful we are for our incredible village of supporters! The commitment and generosity of our village makes the critical work we do every day possible. What began six years ago as a grassroots initiative driven by the needs of foster families in our community has blossomed into a thriving nonprofit organization. Through hard work, dedication, and the support of our incredible village, we've expanded our reach and impact, helping more families and children experiencing foster care than we ever imagined. Each step of this journey has been fueled by a shared commitment to create a community beyond the system, we are beyond grateful ???

?? Big Dreams, Bold Vision ?? We are so grateful for the growth we have seen since being founded in 2018 at Foster Village Charlotte, and we can't wait for what's to come. Over the next 3-5 years, we're dreaming big! Here's what's on the horizon: ? Continue meeting urgent needs within 48 hours ? Launch in-home parent coaching for new caregivers ? Expand our visitation center & Welcome Pack storage to support more families ? Retain and grow our amazing team with livable wages & strong value propositions ? Find our forever home—a Village Hub for holistic family care We believe that strengthening the families and systems that surround a child experiencing foster care leads to a resilient next generation that breaks the cycle of childhood adversity. Together, we are building a community beyond the system. We are so grateful to have you on this journey with us!

We are excited to welcome our newest cohort to the Board of Directors of Foster Village Charlotte! We are so grateful for the experience they each bring to our board. Please join us in welcoming this inspiring group of advocates to our village! ??Welcome Charles Bradley, MSW Charles served as the former Division Director of Mecklenburg County Youth and Family Services, he oversaw a $55 million annual budget and reduced the foster care population by 50% through strategic, data-driven initiatives. He is a 2019 Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Families Fellow and a respected leader in transforming child welfare systems. ??Welcome Meghan Edwards Meghan is an operations professional. Meghan and her husband have been foster parents and fun fact, they were our first welcome pack delivery! Meghan’s experiences navigating the foster care system inspire her commitment to advocating for permanency for children. ??Welcome Daniel Marks Daniel is an insurance and finance professional. Daniel and his wife have been licensed foster parents for six years. They have cared for children of all ages and have gained firsthand insight into the transformative impact of Foster Village Charlotte’s work.

Looking for a job that makes a difference? ?? Whether you're searching for your next career move or just starting out, you can find a fulfilling role that supports a cause you care about on our Do Good Work Job Board, presented by Armstrong McGuire & Associates Here are some of the nonprofits seeking new team members right now: ???Foster Village Charlotte ???Crisis Assistance Ministry ???Changed Choices ???Matthews HELP Center ???Baby Bundles ???Humane Society of Charlotte View these opportunities and many more at https://lnkd.in/e_EaaSPT. ?? Good luck!

We're excited to announce that we are accepting applications to hire two new positions, a Caregiver Support Navigator (full-time) and a Resource Centers Manager (part-time). These roles ensure FVC continues to meet the capacity growth of needs and provide varied and responsive programs! Applications are open now. The Caregiver Support Navigator will be the first point of contact for foster and kinship caregivers. The navigator will guide them through program offerings and help foster connection, engagement, and support while facilitating experiences to increase awareness and equip prospective and current families. The Resource Centers Manager will manage our Connection Cottage program, our dedicated space for visitations, and shared parenting experiences while supporting the office space needs and special project needs. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gBscwZVE

We are so grateful to have Charles Bradley join us on the FVC board, along with others, in our new cohort! His passion and experience in the child welfare space will allow us to continue to grow in our advocacy efforts and the work we do every day. Prior to his retirement, Charles was the Division Director of the Mecklenburg County Youth and Family Services (YFS) Division in Charlotte, NC, where he led one of the largest child welfare divisions in the state. FVC collaborated closely with him for years and we’re thrilled to have his support on our Board of Directors! Welcome Charles!

?? BIG NEWS! ?? We are excited to announce that Katie Causey Miller has joined our team as the Development Director! Katie brings to the team extensive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, non-profit finance, and management. She will lead our team in strategic and innovative fundraising efforts, oversee development initiatives, and implement new fundraising systems. We are grateful to have her on our team! ?? You can meet our full team here: https://lnkd.in/eh2Ff4ep

Meet our founders! ?? In 2018, Becky, Traci, and Sloan founded Foster Village Charlotte, driven by their firsthand experiences as caregivers in the foster care system. With a shared mission to equip, connect, and advocate for families experiencing foster care, they set out to provide the resources needed to help caregivers care for the children in their homes. ? Becky serves as our Executive Director, leading the team in mission-focused initiatives and providing visionary leadership. She sets strategic goals to drive organizational growth, ensuring our efforts stay true to our mission. Becky also advocates for Foster Village Charlotte through impactful speaking engagements and fostering meaningful community connections. ? Traci serves as the Chief Financial Officer, overseeing budgets and financial systems to maintain the organization's financial health and transparency. She supports Foster Village Charlotte's organizational goals through effective systems and processes. Traci also oversees our welcome pack program, ensuring children in care feel seen and comforted during their first week in foster care. ?Sloan serves as the Board Co-Chair and a passionate community advocate for Foster Village Charlotte. With extensive knowledge of the foster care system, she actively champions our mission and advocates for Foster Village Charlotte within her community networks. She has been an active foster parent for 9 years! The Foster Village Charlotte team is so grateful for the mission-driven leadership of Becky, Traci, and Sloan ??

We are so grateful for WorkWell Consulting Group's generosity in creating hygiene kits for us! These hygiene products go out to foster and kinship caregivers in our community through our welcome pack program when a new child is welcomed into their home. Thank you WorkWell Consulting Group for providing care and dignity to the families we work with ?? Together, we are building a community beyond the system!

When children enter foster care, the need for immediate support is critical. Foster Village Charlotte provides Welcome Packs—worth $500 each—with essentials like clothing, diapers, car seats, hygiene products, books, and more, delivered within 48 hours to help caregivers prioritize connecting with the child in their home. In 2024, we expanded to support families in Union County. Last year, we served 165 families and helped keep 52 sibling groups (247 children!) together through our welcome pack program. One caregiver shared: "The consistency you provide in our ever-changing world leaves me in tears every time I unpack a Welcome Pack." ?? Thank you to our volunteers and donors who make this program possible!