The journey to permanency isn’t the same for every child—especially for Black and Brown youth in foster care.Across North Carolina, children of color are overrepresented in the foster system and face lower adoption rates. But stories like Mez’s show what’s possible when families step up. After being turned down by 25 families, he found a forever home with the Teagues—who saw past statistics and focused on providing love, stability, and opportunity.Every child deserves the chance to succeed. As foster parents, mentors, and advocates, we have the power to change lives.A heartfelt thank you to Greg Funderburg and CBS 17 for bringing attention to this issue and sharing Mez’s journey. If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time to take that step. Learn more: https://buff.ly/4gJIASO

Breaking News:
The recent lawsuit highlighting the challenges in North Carolina’s foster care system is heartbreaking but not surprising. As an organization committed to supporting foster families across NC, FFA-NC believes every child deserves stability, safety, and love—basic rights no child should be denied.

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SECU Foundation recently awarded Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC) a $300,000 grant for the development and implementation of a new centralized software system to support its advocacy and work for foster children. The platform will provide a statewide focus for managing professional trainings, certifications, and enhanced onboarding to help improve the enlistment and retention of foster parents in the state.

Families across North Carolina are creating memories around warm meals and cozy gatherings as we gather with loved ones to celebrate the holidays. But for over 11,000 children in our state’s foster care system, the holidays are often a stark reminder of the family connections they lack.

More than 200 local children benefit from nonprofit’s annual Christmas toy distribution event sponsored by Foster Families Alliance of NC at Harvest Baptist Church.

CBS 17 with Byron James
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — ‘Twas days and nights before Christmas and this Holiday Season, the Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina is rallying the community to bring joy to 1,000 foster children through the non-profit’s Holiday Hope Toy Drive.

Of the 406 foster children in Wake County, 92 of them have been legally cleared for adoption. An information fair is set for Nov. 16, 2024 in Raleigh for potential adopters to learn more. Foster Family Alliance of NC

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article295485804.html#storylink=cpy

Listen now as our Executive Director, Gaile Osborne, is interviewed by Host Jon Champion about the challenges facing the foster care system this holiday season.

With a 21% drop in foster homes and limited resources after recent hurricanes, Gaile shares insights into our Holiday Hope Toy Drive, an initiative to bring gifts and support to 1,000 foster children across North Carolina.

November 7, 2024– The Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA) is deeply grateful to the individuals, organizations, and businesses whose generous donations have helped foster families impacted by Hurricane Helene. As the state faces a staggering $53 billion in damages and over 126,000 homes affected, the contributions of our donors have been essential in supporting the 2,773 foster children in the 25 Western North Carolina counties declared disaster areas.