What Is a Foster Friendly Community?
When people think about foster care, they often picture caseworkers, courtrooms, and foster families opening their homes. While those roles are critical, the truth is that foster care was never meant to be carried by families alone.
Children and families thrive best when entire communities step in to help.
That’s the vision behind Foster Friendly® Communities.
A Foster Friendly Community is a place where businesses, faith communities, civic leaders, and everyday neighbors work together to support foster families and children in care. Instead of families navigating the challenges of caring for vulnerable children on their own, they are surrounded by practical support, encouragement, and meaningful resources.
It’s not just a program.
It’s a movement to reimagine communities as places where foster families feel seen, supported, and surrounded. Our team works closely with the mayor and government leaders to set goals and metrics that will support kids in foster care and the families in the community—driving measurable, lasting change across the entire system of care.
Why Foster Friendly Communities Matter
Foster parenting is deeply rewarding—but it can also be demanding.
Families often step in during moments of crisis, welcoming children who have experienced significant trauma and uncertainty. In those moments, practical support and encouragement from the community can make all the difference.
When foster families feel supported, they are more likely to:
- Keep their homes open longer
- Provide stable environments for children in care
- Avoid burnout and isolation
- Help children experience healing and belonging
Foster Friendly Communities work to reduce the pressures that often cause families to close their homes, ultimately helping create more stability for children in foster care.
What Does a Foster Friendly Community Look Like?
Support Anytime, Across Tennessee
One of the most innovative aspects of the Foster Friendly® initiative is the Foster Friendly® App.
Through the app, foster and kinship families can instantly access a statewide network of support, including:
- Exclusive discounts from participating businesses
- Resources and services designed for foster families
- Opportunities to connect with a broader community of support
By reducing financial pressures and helping families feel less isolated, the app helps foster families keep their homes open longer and better serve the children placed in their care.
A Culture Shift for Communities
Ultimately, Foster Friendly Communities represent something bigger than a single initiative.
They represent a culture shift—a new way of thinking about foster care.
“This is more than a program—it’s a culture shift. Every interaction, from the checkout line to the church pew, becomes an opportunity to uplift children in care and the families who love them. Foster Friendly transforms how communities view foster care—from something on the margins to something we all own. And when that happens, kids don’t just find a safe place to stay—they find a place to belong.”
— Brian Mavis
When businesses, faith communities, leaders, and neighbors come together, something powerful happens.
Children in foster care don’t just find a temporary place to stay.
They find a community that helps them belong.
