On Thursday, May 29, at 6 p.m., Anderson County will host a public information session for individuals and families interested in learning more about becoming a foster or foster/adoptive parent. The information session will be held at the Anderson County Senior Center, 96 Mariner Point Drive in Clinton. Refreshments will be served.
Anderson County is partnering with Youth Villages to offer the May 29th learning event to the public.
“We have a lot of citizens with a heart for children, but they may have doubt or anxiety about becoming a foster parent. This session will answer some questions, and no commitments are required as part of attending,” said County Mayor Terry Frank.
“When a child is removed from their home, we want to minimize the disruptions to their life, keeping them with their siblings, in their same school and connected to their friends. To do that for every child in Anderson County, we need more families to open their homes. We hope you will join us on May 29 to hear from a foster parent who will share their experience and learn more about how you can help provide stability and love to children in foster care,” said Stephen Woodward, foster parent recruitment specialist with Youth Villages.
The Anderson County Board of Commissioners on Monday night approved a proclamation honoring May as Foster Care Month. It’s a month recognized nationally to honor the families who offer love, support and a safe space to children and teenagers who, for reasons often beyond their control, can’t be with their own families.
Youth Villages was founded in 1986 in Memphis, Tennessee. Since its inception, Youth Villages Tennessee has helped more than 150,000 children and young adults. Youth Villages is part of the new Every Child TN Initiative that Gov. Bill Lee started to find quality foster parents for children and to support more community engagement on the need for foster families.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 20, 2025
By: Office of the County Mayor
L to R Stephen Woodward (left), foster parent recruiter with Youth Villages, receives a proclamation from Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank (center) and Commission Vice Chair Shelly Vandagriff (right).