Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent? Join Us June 2

There are a growing number of foster children in North Carolina that need foster homes and that need is significant in Buncombe County. Currently in Buncombe County there are 360 children in foster care and 28 youth, ages 18-21. In an effort to recruit more foster parents, fostering agencies from across the region are partnering to host United for Foster Care Western North Carolina on Saturday, June 2 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Asheville Outlets.

“In Buncombe County, there are 388 children and youth in foster care and only 85 Buncombe County Health and Human Services licensed foster homes available,” said Amy Huntsman, Foster Care Supervisor for Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS). “Child placing agencies are partnering to find foster parents because of the overwhelming need and the reality that we can’t do it alone. This event gives us the ability to help people understand that there are many different options when it comes to fostering children in our area. It also provides an opportunity to speak with several agencies in a short amount of time, which is helpful to someone interested in becoming a foster parent,” she said.

The need for foster homes remains high in Buncombe County, with a 38% increase the number of children coming into foster care since 2015. “Foster parents from every community are needed because there are foster children in every school in our County. We want all children in Buncombe to experience the kind of love and support that comes with being connected to a safe and stable family in their community,” said Huntsman. “Family means different things to all of us but to be a foster parent, family must mean safety, stability and love. If you embody these characteristics and want to help, we would love to speak with you about foster parenting.”

Please join us on June 2 at Asheville Outlets from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. to learn about the fostering options available in our area. Even if you aren’t prepared to be a foster parent yet, there are still many ways that you can help. You can do that for a child!  Find more information on fostering a child at buncombecounty.org. This is a family friendly event and there will be face painting and balloon twisting.

Babies Need Bottoms

We are also excited to be hosting a diaper drive for Babies Need Bottoms, a local nonprofit that provides wipes and diapers for families in need. Babies Need Bottoms has helped to provide support to many families in our community to bring clean diapers to families struggling with diaper need. Please bring diapers and wipes with you to the event.

We look forward to seeing you at the Asheville Outlets on June 2 with diapers and wipes in tow! We also ask the community to share this information with friends, family, community organizations and congregations. We would love to speak with you or your group about this event or your interest in becoming a foster parent. Our email address is: familiesforkids@buncombecounty.org and our phone number is (828) 250-5868.