PORCHE’ BELCHER/ PORCHE’B PHOTOGRAPHY
May is a month associated with many things: the new beginnings of springtime, school letting out for the summer, and all of those eagerly awaited fun-in-the-sun activities.
But what many may not know is that May is also nationally recognized as Foster Care Awareness Month. With that, we’re taking the opportunity to shine a spotlight on a local organization that has been working tirelessly for 130 years and counting to change the lives of countless young people; Monroe Harding. As the only agency in Middle Tennessee providing a comprehensive continuum of services for current and former foster youth from birth to age 26, as well as serving other vulnerable young adults, Monroe Harding understands the critical impact of foster care and supportive services all year round. We had the pleasure of chatting with Monroe Harding’s CEO Pamela Madison to learn more about all that this incredible organization is doing to improve the lives of so many.
How It All Started: Monroe Harding was founded in 1893 by Fannie Harding in honor of her late husband, Dr. James Monroe Harding. The original site was located on 18th Ave. North, on land which Fannie donated to the Presbyterian Church of Nashville. When more land was needed, the orphanage moved to the site in Green Hills, which is familiar to many Nashvillians. Over the years, the services offered by Monroe Harding transitioned with the changing needs of the community. Today, after making the strategic decision to close the residential home in Green Hills, our programs are more community-based which allows us to better serve the needs of our children, young people, and foster families.
Comprehensive Care: Monroe Harding has been in the Nashville community for 130 years. We are the only agency in Middle Tennessee that provides a comprehensive array of services for children, youth, and young adults who are in or have transitioned out of foster care as well as other vulnerable youth and young adults. We provide therapeutic foster homes for children birth to 18 years old, supportive living housing for young adults ages 18 to 26, and education and workforce development programs for youth and young adults ages 16 to 26. Our supportive living houses are in west and north Nashville, while our resource center is in the heart of downtown Nashville. We have foster parents located throughout Middle Tennessee.
Every Age Matters: When people think about foster care, they generally think about babies and young children. There are many youth and young adults who transition out of the foster care system or are disengaged from school or work. Recent data shows that over 40 percent of Tennessee’s foster care population is aged 14 and up. They are less likely to graduate from high school, more likely to become homeless, and less likely to have a job when compared to their peers. These young adults do not have the support and resources they need to successfully transition into adulthood. Monroe Harding steps in to provide and connect these young people with adequate resources and positive adults to guide them as they are navigating the challenges that will inevitably come their way.
Support For All: There is a tremendous need for foster families right now. Monroe Harding recruits and trains potential foster families and continues to give them the support they need throughout their time with us. We consider ourselves a “boutique” foster care agency. We don’t just recruit you and then forget about you. Our trained and compassionate staff provides 24/7 support to our families to assist with everyday life as well as emergencies and any crises that may arise. Because all of our children are dealing with some type of trauma, we are a trauma-informed healing community. We provide wraparound support focused on the needs of the children in our foster homes to help them and the families navigate the toxic stress, caused by trauma, that the children may be dealing with.
Customized Approach: Monroe Harding truly thinks about the needs of this population. Our services are very much individualized. We serve a diverse population, so we can’t offer one-size-fits-all programs. Our competent and caring team works with each individual to help them achieve their goals. This could be a 5-year-old who needs to learn how to tie his shoes, or a 20-year-old who is interested in becoming a pilot. We don’t tell our young people what they should be, we listen to their hopes and dreams and help navigate them through the process that’s going to get them there. It’s not always an easy road for them, and there are missteps along the way. However, we don’t judge. We open our doors to them and pick up where we left off. We also have the most caring and dedicated foster parents. The ask of them to take in children into their homes and treat them as they would treat their own is no small ask. Our foster parents do it without a second thought, and the impact that they make on these children will be evident in generations to come.
Hopes for the Future: My hope is that we will continue to expand our footprint in the Middle Tennessee area and continue to offer quality services to our children, youth, and young adults. I’m so grateful for the support that we receive from our volunteers and funders, and I hope that the Nashville community will continue to support Monroe Harding and increase that support whether that be financially, through volunteering, or by becoming foster parents. That support will allow us to continue positively changing young people’s lives, which will also change the Nashville community for the better.
On September 21, Monroe Harding will host its largest fundraising event of the year, Fostering Joy. The annual event is a fun night filled with inspiring stories from foster families and program participants, along with silent and live auctions, dinner, and a live band. This year’s event will be held at City Winery, and all proceeds will be used to help Monroe Harding continue serving these deserving children, youth, and young adults.