Kids & Parents: Why Does Foster Care Matter in Shelby County?
- Boundless Team
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
Foster care matters in Shelby County because children need safe, loving homes and parents need practical ways to respond with Christ-centered compassion. For kids and parents across Memphis and the 901, this is a family-centered opportunity to offer stability, healing, and hope right where we live.
When you walk through the streets of Memphis, from the vibrant energy of Cordova to the quiet neighborhoods of Bartlett, it’s easy to see the beauty of our city. But behind many front doors, there is a quiet crisis that rarely makes the evening news. Every month, approximately 59 children in Shelby County are removed from their homes due to circumstances beyond their control. These are our neighbors. These are our children.
At First Assembly Memphis, we believe the local church is the primary vehicle God uses to bring healing to broken places. Foster care isn’t just a social service; it is a sacred invitation to demonstrate the Gospel in real-time. Whether your family is considering foster care, your children are asking questions about helping others, or you are looking for ways to support foster families, there is a place for you in this mission of hope.
The Reality of the 901: High-Impact Statistics
Understanding the weight of the need helps us move from "vague concern" to "biblical action." In Tennessee, there are over 9,100 children in foster care at any given time. While the state works toward reunification with biological families, which is the primary goal in over 56% of cases, the immediate need for stable, local foster homes in the Memphis area is critical.
Location | Annual Removals | Monthly Average | Primary Goal |
Shelby County | ~704 Children | ~59 Children | Reunification |
Tennessee State | ~9,100+ Total | N/A | Stability & Healing |
In Shelby County, the removal rate is roughly 28.1 per 10,000 children. While this is lower than the statewide average, the sheer volume of a city as large as Memphis means our local agencies are constantly seeking families who can provide a "landing pad" of grace. The Assemblies of God national fellowship has set a bold target: to see 20,000 children across the U.S. cared for by Spirit-filled families and churches. We are part of that global heartbeat, starting right here at home.
What is the CompaCare Model?
You might be thinking, "I want to help, but I don't think I can be a full-time foster parent." That is where the CompaCare model comes in. Developed by COMPACT Family Services (the AG’s national child-welfare ministry), CompaCare is a system designed to ensure no foster family walks alone.
It is built on the concept of "Wraparound Care." This means for every one family that opens their home to a child, there is a "Care Team" of 4–6 other people behind them. These teams provide practical support that makes fostering sustainable:
Meals and Hospitality: Providing a hot dinner during the first week of a new placement.
Practical Help: Helping with laundry, grocery runs, or yard work so the parents can focus on the child.
Emotional Support: Consistent prayer and a listening ear for the foster parents.
Respite and Childcare: Offering a few hours of childcare (where legally permitted) to give parents a much-needed break.
This model shifts the burden from a single family to the entire community. It’s about building a front-porch culture where everyone has a role to play.
Definition: Sanctification
Sanctification: The lifelong process of being set apart for God’s holy purposes and becoming more like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the context of foster care, sanctification often happens in the "messy middle", as we learn to love sacrificially, our own hearts are shaped and refined to reflect the patience and grace of Christ.
Why Kids and Parents in Memphis are Uniquely Positioned
Memphis is a city built on soul, resilience, and community. We know how to take care of our own. When a family in Arlington or Germantown decides to step into the foster care space, they aren't just helping one child; they are showing their own kids what compassion, sacrifice, and Christ-like love look like in real life.
By providing a safe environment, parents give biological families the time and space they need to do the hard work of recovery and growth so that reunification can happen. If reunification isn't possible, they provide the bridge to a "forever family." Either way, families are standing in the gap for the most vulnerable members of the 901.
Practical Steps: How Can Kids and Parents Get Involved?
Getting started doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here is a simple roadmap for Memphis families looking to make a difference:
Learn Together: Talk as a family about why foster care matters and research local requirements for fostering and family support. Knowledge dispels fear.
Serve as a Family: If you aren't ready to foster, ask about joining a "wraparound team" at FA Memphis. A family meal, a grocery run, or simple encouragement can help a foster family keep going.
Pray Specifically: Pray for the 59 children entering the system this month in Shelby County. Pray for caseworkers, foster parents, biological parents, and children who need peace and stability.
Build Compassion in Your Home: Help your kids understand that caring for vulnerable children reflects the love of Jesus. Small conversations can shape a lifelong heart for others.
Assess Your Family's Margin: Look at your schedule, energy, and resources to see how your household can create space to serve.
The Life Takeaway: Kids and Parents Can Make a Difference
The beauty of the Gospel is that God did not leave us as orphans; He brought us into His family. Foster care is a tangible way families extend that same invitation to others. Whether you are raising young kids in Bartlett or supporting children as grandparents in Collierville, your home can reflect the heart of Jesus.
Transformation doesn't happen through a program; it happens through people. When a child feels the safety of a warm home and the consistency of loving adults, their whole world changes. And as families serve together, their own hearts are shaped, too.
A Community of Hope
We want to see every child in Shelby County in a safe, loving, and Spirit-empowered home. This isn't about being perfect; it's about being present. It’s about realizing that the "mission field" starts at the end of your driveway.
If you’re feeling a tug on your heart today, don’t ignore it. That might be the Holy Spirit inviting you into a deeper level of service and a more profound experience of His love.
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person to explore how you can get involved: 🌐 www.famemphis.org
If you're outside our area or looking for digital discipleship resources on how to start a foster ministry in your own city, join our online community: 🌐 www.boundlessonlinechurch.org
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
How might your family help bring hope to a child in Shelby County this year?
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