Families that open their homes and hearts to foster youth are a special bunch. Support for them and their foster children is generally accessed through county departments of social services or Guardian ad Litem programs, which are run through the NC Courts.
But foster families in Southeastern NC have extra resources that extend well beyond the typical, and they are all found at the Harrelson Center. Partner Foster Pantry eases the transition of children in foster care by providing essential needs and resources to the children and their foster families. Associate Partner Cape Fear Guardian ad Litem Association (CFGALA) raises and grants funds to cover life’s extras such as music lessons, summer camps, tutoring and sports uniforms. And now Partner Family Support Network is offering a program specifically for parents who are fostering children with special needs.
This new program, started with Foster Pantry in 2025, provides wrap-around support for these families who often face the additional challenges of social isolation, financial strain, and the difficulty of navigating the complex service systems with schools and medical care.
With Foster Pantry now leading foster families to the expertise, guidance and peer support accessible through Family Support Network, these partners are exhibiting one of the key benefits of Harrelson Center partnership: greater impact on their community through collaboration.