Foster Friendly NorthStar Church Welcomed Kids with Open Arms
An East Tennessee Foster Friendly Faith Community opened their doors to help children in foster care connect with the permanent families they long for, alongside of Tennessee Kids Belong.
Category Adoption
Creating Safe Spaces of Healing: Tools for Foster and Adoptive Families
In a recent episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcomed Jeanette Yoffe, a seasoned psychotherapist who herself was in foster care and later adopted. With over 20 years of experience, Jeanette offers a compassionate…
“Foster Care Saved My Life”: Tyler Hunter’s Journey From Empowerment to Advocacy
Many assume that foster care is solely a system of loss, upheaval, and trauma. And while all these factors are ever present and difficult realities, they don’t tell the whole story for each individual or for the system itself. For…
A Day of Belonging at the Nashville Zoo
The I Belong Project™ exists to help kids in foster care find permanency, connection, and belonging. Days like this don’t just produce beautiful photos and videos - they create memories, inspire hope, and invite families across Tennessee to say “yes” to foster care and adoption.
Powerful Insights Around the Conversation of Adoption, Race, and Identity
In a world where identity and belonging are often intertwined, the journey of transracial adoption presents both unique challenges and powerful opportunities for growth and understanding. In a recent episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, our hosts sat down with…
Navigating Grief and Loss in Adopted Children With New Compassion
The Foster Friendly Podcast recently featured an inspiring and powerful conversation with Pam Bauer as part of National Adoption Month. Pam’s a mother of 14 children, 12 of whom were adopted from Russia. Pam has gained lots of insights personally…
I Belong Project™ – Collierville First Baptist
Earlier this year the I Belong Project™ traveled to Memphis, TN for a powerful, hope-filled day we won’t soon forget. What unfolded was more than a film shoot — it was a day filled with belonging, dignity, and possibility. Meet 16 kids in need of adoption.
Virtual Foster Care and Adoption Q&A Panel
We invite you to attend our Virtual Q&A Panel — a safe, welcoming space to hear real stories from local foster and adoptive parents, child welfare experts and our staff to ask your questions. The goal is to share accurate information and authentic stories. Join us during National Adoption Awareness Month for a special adoption-focused panel. The event is free, RSVP at the link below.
Building a Church with a Heart for Foster Care
Kelly and Tracie Ward were recent guests on the Foster Friendly Podcast. The Wards are a compassionate and visionary couple deeply committed to fostering and adoption and have opened their hearts and home to numerous children. In the past two years…
Fostering Front Door Is a Game Changing Resource for Engaging Foster Care
A recent episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast featured a lively conversation around America’s Kids Belong’s new and exciting initiative called “Fostering Front Door.” Indiana Kids Belong State Manager, Laura Mobley joined the podcast and shared the vision behind this…
Your Faith Community Has a Huge Role in Changing Who Waits
As America’s Kids Belong celebrates its 10th year anniversary, we look back at this post from Co-Founder and Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Brian Mavis. Brian’s encounter with Cindy would become a catalyzing moment that helped inspire the start of…
Even More Reasons Why Keeping Your Kids Hydrated Is Critical This Summer
How Hydration Plays into Behavior I first heard of TBRI® (Trust Based Relational Intervention) about 14 years ago. I remember going to my first conference where I learned about the three principles: connecting, empowering, and correcting. I left that conference…