Local foster care summit at Bristol Motor Speedway offers support and resources

BRISTOL, Tenn. – The air was filled with hope and determination as local foster care organizations in Bristol, Tennessee, joined forces to host a foster care summit on Thursday, May 30th. The gathering took place at the main office of the widely recognized Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bridging the gap for foster parents.

The main objective of the event was to create a secure and supportive environment for foster parents. The organizers strived to provide useful tips and tricks for foster parenting by bringing experienced specialists to share their expertise. Additionally, a resource fair was set up for individuals showing interest in taking on the noble cause of foster parenting.

Creating a Community of Support

While speaking to attendees, Gabi Smith, northeast regional coordinator for the Tennessee Commission of Children and Youth, expressed, “Becoming a foster parent can be pretty scary if you don’t work in the world of social services. Many individuals are not aware of the resources available to help support them. Through this event, we aimed to bring some awareness and comfort to the region.”

Brittany Boles, a collective impact specialist with Strong ACC, also emphasized the event’s significance. “It’s just important for foster parents to feel that they have this whole community surrounding and lifting them up. Events like this foster care summit contribute to building that sense of community,” she shared.

Joining the Cause

Interested individuals were provided with information on how to be involved. For those who couldn’t attend the summit, further details on becoming a foster parent or supporting this cause in other ways can be found by visiting Strong ACC’s official website at strongacc.org.

Summit’s Impact

The foster care summit at the Bristol Motor Speedway provided a much-needed platform for current and prospective foster parents. Attendees left with newfound knowledge and reassurance—armed with resources and a community ready to support their journey. As the number of children in need of foster care continues to rise, initiatives like these prove to be significant steps towards providing secure and nurturing environments for them.

Looking Into the Future

As part of a continuing commitment, the organizations behind the summit promise to develop more programs aimed at providing unrelenting support to the tireless individuals striving to make a difference in children’s lives. The summit was just the beginning. The organizers look forward to seeing the impact their efforts will undoubtedly have on foster care in Bristol and hope other communities will follow their lead.