At Fostering Roots Foundation, our mission is to be a valued resource to the foster, kinship, and adoptive community within Madison County, Alabama and its surrounding areas.

About Us

Our "Why"

Saying “yes” to provide care for a child in need is one of the most selfless things a person can do. There are emotional, physical, and financial barriers that follow and few resources available to support foster, adoptive, and kinship parents. Some of the biggest barriers include a lack of childcare available, the cost of obtaining childcare, a lack of parental and childcare provider training, and a lack of mentorships and support for teens transitioning out of foster care.

In June of 2023, there were over 400 children in foster care in Madison County, Alabama and less than 200 licensed homes. More than 40 children entered care in Madison County in June alone. The barriers listed above not only impact existing foster, adoptive, and kinship families, they also serve as reasons why people choose not to foster. Our heart is to eliminate those barriers resulting in more licensed homes.

Our People

Shannon Withrow
President

Shannon lives in North Alabama with her husband, Greg. She is a mom to 6 kids ranging from 23 years old to 2.5 years old. She has a master’s degree in business administration and has spent the last several years serving as an Army civilian. The Withrows began their fostering journey in December of 2018 and have since adopted 4 beautiful children. During that time, they had over 30 children come through their home. Some of which were emergency care, respite care, and/or long-term care. The journey was one of many challenges yet many blessings alike. Fostering Roots Foundation stems from their desire to find solutions to the problems they faced and provide support and encouragement along the way for other families as they strive to Love Like Jesus.

Jessyca Creasy-Lopez
Vice President

Jessyca comes from a long line of childcare providers. Her mother has been a pillar in the community, providing childcare to the area’s children for almost 40 years. Both of Jessyca’s grandmothers also kept children in their homes so to say childcare is “in her blood” is an understatement. Jessyca currently runs two successful childcare centers in Madison County and is also the owner of Spoiled Rockin’ Kids Salon. She is a mother, loves children, and is excited about this opportunity to serve the local foster care community.

Allie Tucker
Secretary

Allie is a third-generation foster parent who grew up in North Alabama. She lives in Huntsville with her husband, Matthew, and her daughter, Eleanor. Allie works as a commercial real estate attorney with Butler Snow. In addition to her work with Fostering Roots Foundation, she serves on the Board of Directors for the National Children’s Advocacy Center and Alabama Possible. Allie’s passion to serve children and her love for the foster care community encouraged her decision to establish Fostering Roots Foundation.

aimee peterson
board member

Aimee and her husband Eric live in northern Madison County with their two children. Aimee has a degree in psychology and a wealth of experience serving children, teens, young adults, and families in various capacities, including: service coordination and informal mentoring/counseling support. She has served in roles assisting with crisis situations and provided compassionate grief and trauma support. Aimee’s past work experience includes assisting families as they worked towards preserving their family or reunification goals.

carly hames
board member

Carly and her husband, Nelson, live in Madison County. While attending her first Fostering Roots Foundation meeting, Carly immediately assumed the role of managing our social media. She put her “yes” on the table and hasn’t looked back. Before the weekend was over, we were on all of the important sites. To say she has done an amazing job is an understatement. Her dedication has been instrumental to our growth. While she is a social media genius, she is so much more. Carly is a Clinic Manager and Occupational Therapy Assistant for a thriving pediatric clinic.

Rodney Keeton
board member

Rodney is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner. He has taught TBRI principles and practices in schools, ministry settings, and DHR training sessions for many years. Rodney is the Youth and Family Minister at Central Church of Christ. He graduated from Harding University and has served in ministry for the past 21 years. He and his wife, Siobhan, and their 2 children, have been a licensed foster family for the past 7 years. Rodney is passionate about serving others and has a wealth of experience connecting with youth.

Presley cox
board member

Presley grew up in Hazel Green, Alabama where she graduated from high school and still resides there today with 2 year old Aussie, Otis. She is a two time graduate from Jacksonville State University with her bachelors and masters in social work, Go Gamecocks! Since graduating, she has been involved in the Madison City School System while working The Enrichment Center as a School-Based Mental Health Therapist, serving elementary students. Today, Presley serves as a Madison County School system social worker for the K-12 Buckhorn community. She is very involved with her church as a member of their Young Adults group and enjoys spending time with them. Presley loves her community and welcomes opportunities to serve those within it.

Resources

Mentoring Program
Mentoring Program
As of February 2024, there were over 100 High School Juniors and Seniors associated with DHR. Many of these teens will be expected to transition to independence with minimal access to support. They are often set up for failure rather than success. Our Mentoring Program aims to remove barriers to success by empowering foster youth to navigate systems that are essential to further their education and/or launch them on a career path. This program will pair them with professional mentors to “do life with” while also providing exposure to a variety of potential opportunities.

Be a Mentor
Childcare Resources
Childcare Resources
While there is a shortage of childcare available in AL, there is a significant shortage for children in foster care. Mother's Day Out Programs and Childcare Centers are generally full at the beginning of their school year. This leaves no room for children entering care mid-season. Foster/Adoptive parent surveys show a significant need for a variety of childcare options. This includes: part-time care, full-time care, before and after school care, and drop-off as needed care, etc. Fostering Roots Foundation is partnering with established centers, other nonprofits and religious organizations within the community to find solutions to meet these needs.

Contact Us
Childcare Scholarships
Childcare Scholarships
The Department of Human Resources provides Childcare Management Agency (CMA) payments for foster children. However, many centers do not participate in the CMA program. In addition to this, the cost of childcare far exceeds the cost covered by CMA and can easily take the child’s entire monthly stipend leaving the family to provide necessities (formula, diapers, etc) out of pocket. Fostering Roots Foundation would like to help ease the financial burden of providing childcare for foster/adoptive/kinship families. It is our desire to decrease this burden to allow existing foster families the ability to take additonal placements while also removing a financial concern for individuals considering becoming a foster parent.

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Get Involved

Volunteers

We need YOU. Our success hinges on volunteers willing to assist with a variety of needs: generating ideas, planning, fundraising, marketing, recruiting, etc. We welcome volunteers with all levels of commitment. It takes a village. Together we can make a sustainable difference in the lives of others.

Be a Volunteer

Thanks for Your Support

You have a lot of choices when it comes to donating. We are so grateful you chose to give to the foster/adoptive community. Your donation will be responsibly used to improve the lives of others now and into the future.

Fostering Roots Foundation is an approved 501(c)(3)

Donate can be made here or donations may be mailed to 7027 Old Madison Pike NW, Suite 108, Huntsville, AL 35806

Make Donation

Contact Us

Get in Touch

For more information on mentoring, scholarships, or for general questions please reach out.

Name

 7027 Old Madison Pike NW, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806

Phone: 256-813-8447