Fostering a need: Donation of $1,260 helps needy Franklin County children
Foster children often enter care with few, if any, belongings. In Franklin County right now, there are 75 children in foster care. And with the backto- school season fast approaching, the need for supplies is growing.
These children come from all backgrounds, including sibling groups and teens with special needs. Many have experienced abuse or neglect. They all share one common need — a safe, stable home.
The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council, the organization that manages the Historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville, donated $1,260 to help. The donation is connected to the organization’s recent production of “Annie: The Musical.”
Board member Hillary M. Hall proposed the production during the council’s first meeting of the year. Members approved of the idea and moved forward with the show.
The show brought together talent and strong community support with funding from ticket sales and sponsorships by businesses, organizations and individuals. The council donated 10% of ticket sales — $1,260 — to support foster children in the county.
Hall, who began fostering just over a year ago, has welcomed 11 children into her home so far. She currently has three in her care, in addition to her two children.
“It doesn’t matter where that child comes from,” Hall said. “If you’re in it for the right reason, that love comes naturally.”
She said her younger daughter encouraged her to take that step.
“There’s a need,” Hall said. “If you’re in it for the right reason, it’s a ministry. It’s not about a check. You invest those funds back into the kids. They’re just kids who need to be loved.”
Haley White, a foster care worker with Franklin County DHR, echoed the importance of timely support.
“School is coming up soon, and we’ve got 70-plus kids all needing clothes and supplies at the same time,” White said. “Of course, we’re going to meet their needs regardless, but donations like this help us go above and beyond.”
She said many children arrive with little to nothing, often having to leave their belongings behind.
“Kids these days just want to fit in,” she said. “They want to have nice things like other kids do. We get the basics at Walmart, but donations allow us to provide that extra experience to help them feel confident and included.”
“It’ll help us meet the basic needs of our foster children,” said Amber Steward, director of the Franklin County Department of Human Resources. “We’ll probably start with back-to-school supplies. When the kids come into foster care, they come in with nothing. Clothes, sheets, hygiene supplies, pajamas, we have to start from scratch.”
Steward said DHR also works to provide Christmas gifts for every child in care, and welcomes donations or inquiries about fostering.
“We have a difficult time keeping our kids in-county because of a lack of foster homes,” she said. “For anyone interested in providing a home or helping care for a child, we welcome their contact.”
A foster parent training is expected to begin this fall.
The program includes 10 weeks of TIPS (Trauma Informed Parenting for Supportive Environments), a national curriculum that prepares foster parents for the challenges and responsibilities of care.
“You’ll never regret helping a child,” Steward said. “Even people who are afraid to foster because they worry about getting attached, once they’ve done it, they don’t regret being part of the betterment of a child.”
To become a foster parent in Alabama, you must be at least 19 years old and able to provide a safe, supportive environment. Foster families must meet state standards, complete a 30-hour training course, and pass background checks.
Monthly payments help cover the cost of care, and both children and foster families are assigned social workers to offer support and services.
