Wednesday evening, at The One-Office Space at the Court Towers in Towson, Arrow Child and Families moved beyond numbers and statistics to highlight the faces and stories of those in the treatment foster care world.
Arrow Child & Family Ministries hosted its immersive panel-led discussion, “More Than a Number: Beyond the System on May 14.
The event, emceed by WBAL’s T.J. Smith, brought the community together for an intimate look into the realities of treatment foster care, a specialized system serving youth with complex emotional, behavioral, medical, or developmental needs.
The evening’s spotlight shone brightest on four Treatment Foster Care (TFC) parents who took the stage as panelists.
These families opened their hearts to share their personal perspectives, the triumphs and the unique challenges of navigating the treatment foster care world.
Arrow leadership expressed profound and immense gratitude for these families, acknowledging that their willingness to share their raw, lived experiences is what bridges the gap between public awareness and true community support.
The event was also a step in addressing a critical shortage. Too often there are not enough available homes to welcome treatment foster youth.
“We wanted people to walk away with more than just facts, but with a true insight into what these families and youth experience each day,” Associate VP of Arrow Rob Basler said. “By listening to these stories, our community can better understand how to connect with and support them.”
The guided Q&A session offered attendees a profound opportunity for connection, reminding everyone that providing a stable, loving home can completely change the trajectory of a child’s life.
Click here to see Arrow’s segments on WBAL ahead of the event.
Scroll through to see the photos highlighting moments from the wonderful evening of connection and truth. Plus, see even more pictures here.
