CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – May is National Foster Care Month, and a local organization working within the foster care system is helping raise awareness while recruiting families willing to open their homes to children in need.
Youth Villages will host several information sessions throughout the month for community members interested in learning more about becoming foster parents.
Shalimar McDaniel, Community Outreach Specialist, said the sessions are open to families of all backgrounds who may be considering fostering a child.
“There are so many types of kids out there. They are your everyday kids. They are the ones we see at church, at school, and in our neighborhoods. Families come in all shapes and sizes, so we would like to invite people to see if they qualify. We would love to work with them,” McDaniel explained.
McDaniel tells us that May is an important time to both celebrate current foster families and encourage others to get involved.
“May is very special because we are bringing awareness and celebrating our families who are currently foster parents, while also recruiting more families. First, they have to have a heart to foster. Secondly, they need stable income and stable housing, and they must be able to pass a background check.”
Local foster parent Kevin Gill shared his own experience caring for children in need.
“I have a total of nine kids in my home, so it is all about patience and understanding what the kids need, what they want, and what they need in life.”
Gill encouraged anyone considering fostering to take the next step.
“If you are on the fence about doing it, I would say you are already on the right path because you do not want to go through life wondering, ‘What if I had done it?’ You do not want to have those what ifs.”
McDaniel reminds the community that fostering provides a temporary safe home for children, but in some cases can also lead to adoption and a forever family.
“People do get attached to these kids because they love them. They are caring for them and providing a safe, loving home until the child returns to their family. There are also children available for adoption, and we are always looking for forever families for those kids.”
May 2026 Information Session Schedule
- May 9 at 9 a.m. CT / 10 a.m. ET
- May 11 at 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET
- May 21 at 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET
- May 30 at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET
All sessions will be hosted at Youth Villages, located at 6236 Airpark Drive, Suite A, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421.
They say anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend and see if fostering may be the right fit for their family.
