Learn how to help vulnerable children: FBC event

Local families have the chance to learn more about adoption, foster care and helping vulnerable children at an upcoming conference

Eighth Annual Knoxville Area Foster Care and Adoption Ministries Regional Conference will be held from 8:30 to a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 25, at First Baptist Concord, 11704 Kingston Pike.

KAFCAM , started in 2014, is an alliance of about 20 churches and more than 35 agencies, ministries and community advocates who serve foster, adoptive and kinship children and families as well as advocate for family preservation when possible, according to a press release.

“Our members coordinate activities, share lessons learned, provide family support and raise awareness of needs,” the release further stated.

“The target audience for the conference is prospective and active foster and adoptive parents, as well as those looking to support the Knox County adoption and foster community.

“The conference is designed to encourage, equip and connect families and bring awareness of the needs of vulnerable children in our community,” the release also stated.

Some of the sessions from which attendees will choose include the following: learning the basics about international and domestic adoption and foster care, how to plan and prepare before fostering or adopting, and panels from former foster youth, adult adoptees, current adoptive and foster parents and social workers.

There will be informational tables from many local agencies, time to connect with like-minded people and ways to learn to be more effective in helping orphaned and vulnerable children.

Register at www.kafcam.org for $15/person. A light breakfast and lunch are included.

Sponsors are Both Hands; Camelot; ChildHelp; Dawn Coppock, attorney at law; The Empty Cup; Faith Promise; Fellowship Church; Fellowship West; First Baptist Concord; Friedman’s Appliances; Harmony Family Center; Law Office of Hillary Dewhirst; Law Offices of N. David Roberts; Matthew Parsons Homes; Omni Visions; and Treetop Coffee Shop.