Family Room Foster Care Resource Center 

As a foster parent who became an adoptive parent, Carrie Thompson knows firsthand the struggles people who foster children encounter. “It was through that lived experience that I learned very quickly how much support families who foster need and how much kids in foster care need a community to surround them. Once my eyes were opened, I was driven to start Family Room,” Carrie says. 

From a small start in 2018 at a local church, Family Room has grown to help thousands of children and their foster families. Last year, the organization served more than 700. “When babies and children come into foster care, it’s usually an emergency situation and never their fault,” Carrie explains. “They come in with very little and they need everything from clothes, toys, and food to a bed, mattress, and bedding.”

It's not in the budget for social services to buy what the child needs before they bring them to foster care, and it can be 30 days before the foster parents receive any financial assistance from the state. Family Room fills that gap without charging the foster family for anything they need. 

“We are on call 24/7 just like foster parents and social workers are,” Carrie says. “When a parent gets a call that a child is coming, Family Room steps in right away to provide whatever the child needs to get them set up in the home from day one.” Carrie points out that the initial placement time can be a whirlwind, as foster parents have so much on them, including taking the child to a doctor, getting them registered for school or day care, court dates, and visitation with parents.

The Family Room Foster Care Resource Center provides everything a new family needs when they take on the responsibility of fostering a child. 

Everything from beds and mattresses (above) to clothing and toys (below) is ready for foster families to pick up at the Family Room and it is all provided free-of-charge to the families.

“That is in addition to helping the child deal with the trauma of what they are going through,” Carrie adds. “We can’t fix all of that, but we can remove the stress of what bed to get or what size clothes the child needs. We try to help the foster parents breathe and find some peace so they can focus on the precious child now in their care. That’s the core of what we do. It’s not just about the stuff. I think that’s a big key to our success and why Family Room has grown so quickly.” Family Room continues to support the child and family for the duration of time the child is in foster care, as needs and wishes change along with clothing sizes.

Now Family Room is in a capital campaign to raise funds for their own building. “We are under contract for a piece of land in Greensboro where, for the first time, Family Room will have its forever home,” Carrie says. “This expansion will help us support even more children and families.”  

Carrie met Mike Diamond, TowneBank senior vice president and private banker, at a nonprofit event. “I was seated at a table where I didn’t know anyone and happened to be next to Mike,” Carrie says. “I didn’t know who he was or where he worked, but we had a nice talk and he made me feel comfortable. The next day, I wrote him an email thanking him for helping me feel included. After that, he came and toured Family Room and loved our mission. He became an unofficial mentor, encouraging me and giving me advice, but he never pushed me to join TowneBank. I also met Scott Baker, Triad president, and was so impressed by the way both he and Mike were engaged in the community. I told our board treasurer that I really liked TowneBank and wanted Family Room to become part of this great bank.” 

A handwritten note hangs on Carrie’s bulletin board at work. “It’s from Mike, telling me how awesome Family Room is and how proud he is of us and the work we do. I look at that note every day. It’s a reminder that TowneBank is a community of people who love our community.” 

Family Room can always use volunteer help and financial support. You can find links to sign up and see how you can help at FamilyRoomTriad.com.