By Kristin Fox
Together We Can, a new nonprofit organization that started in February, will hold a launch event as well as celebrate Foster Care Awareness Day on Tuesday, May 2nd at 5:30 p.m. at Currahee Brewing Company.
The mission of Together We Can is to educate, support and advocate for the fostering community in Macon County. Since the nonprofit organization started, the group has been working to bring awareness to the foster care needs in the community while also recruiting foster families and Guardians ad Litem.
Tuesday’s event will celebrate the launch and also a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. All ages of the community are invited to this family-friendly event sponsored by Bryson Burt Home Loans. Sodas, juice boxes, water and swag will be provided. Everything Currahee has to offer as well as Ricky’s BBQ & Sweet Caroline’s Ice Cream Truck will be available for purchase.
In addition to the nonprofit launch, the organization will also be launching “Kids helping Kids,” a volunteer/fundraising opportunity for youth in the community to get involved.
The organization works to directly benefit foster children of all ages by providing specialized programs designed to address their needs from initial intake throughout their entire fostering journey. The organization is working to create a safe and loving transition house, a special house designated for interim foster children awaiting placement in licensed foster homes.
“We want to ensure that no foster children have to spend the night at DSS on an air mattress,” said Julie Adams, Together We Can Founder and President. “Together We Can will begin teaching life skills courses to older foster children and those aging out of the system. The organization partners with the families to walk alongside them in their fostering journey providing support groups, advocacy and fundraising efforts such as backpack drives and other events.”
Together We Can partners with the Macon County Department of Social Services and the Guardian ad Litem program to recruit foster families and Guardians ad Litem as well as facilitating classes and support groups. The group also organizes backpack and Christmas present drives for the foster kids in care as well as other children in need.
Over the last seven years, volunteers have been organizing these events at Discover Church. These organizers are now partnering the church and operating under the newly formed nonprofit 501c3. organization, Together We Can. Rachel Marshall is helping to advocate and organize these events.
The organization is holding a May fundraiser, Battle of the Businesses, to raise money for their work and projects during Foster Care Awareness Month. Businesses competing in Battle of the Businesses fundraiser will be at Tuesday’s event.
Together We Can is partnering with the following businesses to raise the most funds during the month of May — Brooklyn Bagels, GSI Motorsports, Highlander Roofing, Jaxon’s Downtown, John Hamlin – State Farm Insurance, McAllister Insurance, Motor Company Grill, Move More Fitness, Remax Elite Realty, Scott Manshack – State Farm Insurance, Tesoro Salon Hair & Nails, Wayah Insurance, and others.
Other ways the community can help this nonprofit organization is to support their fundraising efforts for a transition home and other projects that support the fostering community. Donations can be made at togetherwecan.xyz on the donate tab or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 1712, Franklin 28744, payable to Together We Can.
In addition, the organization will have foster and Guardian ad Litem classes and volunteer opportunities in the weeks to come.
Anyone interested in donating to Together We Can or finding out more about the organization, fill out the contact us tab on their website. Also check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/togetherwecannc and like/share their posts to help raise awareness for the organization.
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