interview with foster village

Live Learn Play Preschool connected with Gracie Boger, a Master of Social Work intern at Foster Village Charlotte. She shares insights into the organization’s mission and wide range of services to support foster parents and children in care. Foster Village is committed to equipping caregivers with practical resources while restoring dignity to the foster care experience. Their approach centers around ensuring that families feel supported and that children’s unique needs—especially those rooted in trauma—are acknowledged and addressed.

The organization provides essential items through welcome packs for new placements, which include toiletries, clothes, books, and toys. They also assist with more significant needs like car seats, cribs, and frozen meals for the first week. For older children, gift cards are often provided to preserve autonomy and dignity. A standout program, Project Soothe, offers free sensory consultations and resources to help caregivers meet the emotional and developmental needs of the children in their care. Foster Village also offers free therapy services to foster parents, support groups led by licensed clinical social workers, and educational workshops on topics such as food insecurity.

One of the more unique aspects of their work is the Connection Cottage, a welcoming, home-like space where children in foster care can have supervised visits with their biological families. It’s designed to be a more comfortable alternative to visits held in government offices, with spaces like a kitchen, sensory room, and play areas that promote bonding in a safe and nurturing environment.

Foster Village Charlotte also engages with the broader community through outreach events, trauma-informed training for educators, and partnerships with preschools to provide discounted care. While some of their trainings and groups are reserved for foster parents, many workshops and events are open to the general public. Their resources are easy to access through self-referral or referral by a social worker, and most services are completely free of charge.

The organization operates mainly through peer-to-peer funding rather than government grants, which gives them flexibility. Still, Gracie noted that many foster parents are concerned about the impact of shifting political and financial systems on essential services like Medicaid and foster care stipends. Despite this, Foster Village continues to provide steady support to foster families. Gracie emphasized that one of the most important things people should know is that their services are not only comprehensive but also accessible and cost-free, helping foster parents focus on building safe, connected relationships with the children in their care.

Written By:

Madolin Purcell

Master of Social Work Intern

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2025