Families Need Space + Support to Thrive: The Village Makes It Possible
More than half of siblings in foster care are separated – and sometimes the only barrier keeping them apart is tragically simple – space.
Families say it all the time: “We would take them… if we just had more room.”
They want to say yes to brothers and sisters. Foster parents understand how important those relationships are. But capacity — bedrooms, seats in the car, time — can become a legitimate barrier.
Tracy, a Thornwell Foster Care Family Specialist, sees this every day.
Being a part of the placement team has been challenging, especially knowing we just can’t accommodate large sibling groups.”
But Tracy doesn’t ever give up – she goes above and beyond to find solutions to maintain connections for kids. She has seen what’s possible when families don’t give up on the idea of keeping siblings connected.
When Families Say “Yes” — Together
In the Midlands, The *Taylors and the *Parkers — friends and fellow foster parents — were both open when a sibling group needed a home.
Knowing we had multiple open homes in the same region gave Thornwell an opportunity to get creative when getting a referral for sibling groups,” Tracy shared.
Individually, they didn’t have the capacity to take all three children. Together, they did. The children were placed across two homes, close enough to stay connected, see each other often, and maintain the relationships that matter most. It wasn’t always easy, but it made a profound difference – for the kids and for the families that welcomed them in. It took coordination, communication, and commitment.
But it created a deeper sense of community and support between the Taylors and the Parkers.
I have been moved greatly by the willingness of my families and their commitment to fostering,” Tracy said, “even when that means waiting for the right placement.”
Because it takes humility to say, “I don’t have room for all of them.” And it takes love to say, “But I will help carry one.”
But What If There Was Another Way? What if space didn’t have to be the barrier? What if saying “yes” to siblings didn’t depend on whether your home had enough bedrooms? That’s exactly why Thornwell created something different.
Welcome to the Foster Care Village!
The Thornwell Foster Care Village in Clinton, South Carolina, is designed to remove the biggest barriers to fostering siblings: space and support. Here, families don’t have to figure it out alone—and they don’t have to squeeze love into limited square footage.
Instead, they are equipped to say yes in bigger ways:
- Spacious 6–8 bedroom homes built for sibling groups
- $1 monthly rent with utilities included
- Maintenance, lawn care, and practical support handled
- Access to recreation, community events, and shared spaces
- A built-in network of foster families walking the same journey
This isn’t just housing. It’s a community designed around children—and the belief that siblings belong together.
Why It Matters
The Foster Care Village surrounds families with practical help and meaningful relationships, reducing burnout and increasing the likelihood that they can continue fostering—especially for teens and sibling groups. Because when foster parents are supported, they can focus on what matters most.
If you’ve ever felt that pull—if you’ve ever wondered “what if we could do more?”—this might be your next step.
Thornwell is seeking dedicated two-parent families who:
- Have no more than three minor children currently at home
- Feel called to foster sibling groups or teens
- Are willing to foster four or more children
- Meet South Carolina licensing requirements
Foster care takes a village. And we would love for you to be part of ours. Learn more about the Thornwell Foster Care Village and take the first step today. Because when space and support aren’t a barrier, siblings don’t have to be separated. They get to stay what they’ve always been: Family.
*Names of foster families have been changed to protect their privacy.