Thornwell’s Third Annual Foster Care Conference

More than 125 people joined us for a day of community-building, training, and fun! Among them were current Thornwell foster parents and prospective foster parents, along with foster parents from other organizations and child welfare professionals – and more than 50 children (bio and foster) who received free childcare!

Guests heard from a diverse group of experts on topics ranging from behavioral support strategies, managing stress, and marriage and fostering, to common loss, bio/foster children relationships, drugs, and trauma.

One family said, “Foster Care is full of long and hard days. The sessions not only confirmed we’re doing a lot of things right, but also provided new tools to support our family.”

             

Another family said, “Foster Care can feel lonely. But today was fulfilling and gave us reassurance we’re not alone.”

We were deeply moved by Trustee Sylvia Collins, who shared her own brave and personal story of growing up in the foster care system. She inspired all in attendance with a message of resiliency and hope, and she expressed her appreciation for the gift of quality foster care.

Thank you to the heroic families who are doing the hard work of loving children from hard places!

You might also choose to extend a “high-five” to the organizations who helped us host an incredible event! Special thanks to The Duke Endowment (Charlotte, NC), Fourth Presbyterian Church and Prisma Health (Greenville, SC), Simpsonville First Baptist (Simpsonville, SC), Presbyterian Fellowship of (Fountain Inn, SC), and First Presbyterian Church (Greer, SC).