Join us in welcoming Emily Barnes to the Tennessee Kids Belong team as our new Foster Friendly® Business Manager. Emily brings a heart for children and a deep passion for creating belonging, shaped by both her personal journey and professional experience. Before joining Tennessee Kids Belong, Emily spent years in education—as a classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, and Student Services Coordinator, and she has led multiple district programs and initiatives.
Emily’s journey with TKB began as a volunteer at a local Foster Care Community Day and at I Belong Project™ shoots—experiences that left a lasting impression.
“From the very beginning, I felt an immediate connection with the team. It was evident how deeply everyone believes in our mission and how dedicated they are to make a real difference in the lives of children in foster care. To now step into a role where I can help engage communities and businesses in support of foster families feels like both a calling and a privilege.”
At the heart of the Foster Friendly® movement is a bold vision: that every community in Tennessee can become a place where kids in foster care—and the families who care for them—are deeply seen, supported, and valued. Through innovative, proprietary recruitment and retention initiatives, she’s inviting business leaders to step into a meaningful role—offering tangible support like exclusive discounts or services through our Foster Friendly App that help ease the burdens foster families face. These offerings aren’t just about generosity; they’re powerful tools for connection, healing, and belonging.
As more business owners, managers, and community influencers join this movement, they’re not only supporting individual families—they’re helping build a stronger, more compassionate Tennessee. Looking ahead, we envision a growing network of engaged business leaders in every corner of the state, connected through a shared purpose.
I believe that together, we can make Tennessee one of the most Foster Friendly states in the country. At the heart of this vision is a simple yet powerful idea: when communities wrap around foster families with tangible support, it becomes easier for them to keep going—and for others to feel inspired and equipped to start fostering themselves.
The support foster families receive through this program relieves financial pressure, combats isolation and gives families the strength and encouragement to keep their homes open longer. Ultimately, this means better outcomes for the children in their care. We’re thankful for Emily’s energy and expertise and look forward to seeing the impact she’ll have rallying business leaders to support foster and kinship parents across the state.
About Foster Friendly®
The innovative Foster Friendly® Program and App equips and engages area businesses, faith communities and nonprofits to WRAP around kinship and foster parents with discounts, resources and more. The exclusive offers and services found on the app address tangible and intangible needs from meals to lawn care – alleviating financial pressures and feelings of isolation, allowing families to keep their homes open longer and best serve those placed in their care.
More About Emily
Emily is trained in CPI, TCIS, and BIST and is passionate about educating others on trauma-informed practices. Her leadership and compassion made a lasting impact on students and families, and she’s excited to bring that same dedication to supporting foster families across Tennessee.
As a young child, Emily was adopted from South Korea, an experience that has deeply informed her belief that every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and loved. That belief fuels her commitment to building communities where children in foster care—and those who care for them—believe they are worthy.
When she’s not working to grow Foster Friendly® connections, you might spot her alongside her therapy dog, Hank, at an I Belong Project™ shoot, bringing comfort and joy to kids on set. Emily is so excited to connect businesses with Tennessee Kids Belong mission throughout the state and grow the Foster Friendly Business program.
