Across Tennessee, families are stepping up to provide safe, loving homes for children in need.
In East Knoxville, Benjamin and Shamiyah Flowers have turned fostering into a way of life. In their seven years as foster parents, the Flowers have opened their door to nearly 60 children.
“Every time Youth Village calls for a placement, we accept,” Shamiyah said. “We want more kids here. We want to show them love and be part of the Flowers family.”
At one point, they had six foster children living under their roof, alongside themselves, their biological children and a few dogs. It’s a busy house, to say the least.
We love it because it’s never a dull moment. “If it’s quiet, we’ll be like, ‘What in the world is going on?’
Their caseworker at Youth Villages, Jenna Bailey, said that the Flowers never say no to a placement.
“I really think the Flowers have made a way for every child to be welcome and part of the family,” Bailey said. “It’s a talent.”
While the Flowers welcome children of all ages, they have a particular soft spot for teenagers—a group that’s often overlooked in foster care placements. Many families prefer younger children, leaving teens with fewer options for stable homes. This creates a challenge for foster care officials, as teenagers make up the largest chunk of foster kids in the system.
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