The Fort: Keeping Foster Siblings Together - Bettis Musgrove Show

Join us for a powerful conversation about The Fort, a groundbreaking foster care initiative building the first sibling foster home in North Georgia. We're joined by Zach Meeks, personal injury attorney and passionate advocate, and Cara Bowen, Executive Director of The Fort, to discuss this vital community project.THE PROBLEM:Over 60% of foster children in Forsyth County are placed outside the county due to lack of bed space, separating them from their families, friends, schools, and communities. Siblings are often split up, adding another layer of trauma to an already difficult situation.THE SOLUTION:The Fort is building a revolutionary sibling foster home that will house up to 6 foster children with dedicated house parents living on-site full-time. This first-of-its-kind facility in North Georgia will feature individual bedrooms and bathrooms for each child, plus innovative on-site visitation and therapy spaces.ABOUT OUR GUESTS:Zach Meeks:- Personal injury attorney and owner of Meeks Impact Law Firm- Forsyth County resident and community leader- Passionate advocate for The Fort foster care mission- Alabama football fan and avid golferCara Bowen:- Executive Director of The Fort- 25 years of experience with Georgia Department of Family and Children Services- Former Director of Forsyth County DFCS- Lifelong advocate for children in foster careWHAT WE DISCUSS:- The urgent need for more foster care bed space in Forsyth County- How sibling separation adds trauma to children already in crisis- The wraparound support model that engages the entire community- Challenges facing foster parents and children in the current system- The innovative design features that set The Fort apart- Fundraising goals and upcoming eventsKEY INSIGHTS:- Why traditional foster care often fails to keep siblings together- The role of community support in successful foster care- How The Fort's model could be replicated in other communities- The financial and emotional costs of placing children outside their home countyUPCOMING EVENTS:- Golf Tournament: October 13th at Windermere Golf Club (Goal: $150,000)- Pickle Ball Tournament: November (date on website)- Brick Campaign: $100 per brick with family/company names- Silent auction and volunteer opportunitiesZACH'S INCREDIBLE COMMITMENT:Zach Meeks announced he will personally match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 at the October 13th golf tournament, demonstrating his serious commitment to making The Fort a reality.THE NUMBERS:- Building cost: $1.8-2 million- Capacity: Up to 6 foster children- Current placement rate outside county: Over 60%- Years in development: Since 2009-2010- Cara is The Fort's first and only full-time employeeThis conversation highlights how one community is stepping up to solve a critical problem affecting our most vulnerable children. Whether you're interested in foster care, community development, or local philanthropy, this episode shows how ordinary people can create extraordinary change.CONNECT WITH THE FORT:Website: https://thefortfostercare.org/Facebook: @thefortfostercareInstagram: @thefortfostercareCONNECT WITH ZACH MEEKS:Website: meeksimpactlaw.comSocial media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTokGET INVOLVED:- Register for the golf tournament- Purchase commemorative bricks- Volunteer at events- Donate items for silent auctions- Become a community supporterCONNECT WITH US:Visit bettismusgrove.comFind us on all social media platforms at BettisMusgroveSubscribe and hit the notification bell to never miss an episodeLike this video if you believe every child deserves a safe, loving home with their siblings, subscribe for more conversations about the people and organizations making our community better, and let us know in the comments how you plan to support The Fort.#TheFort #FosterCare #ForsythCounty #Community #Children #Nonprofit #BettisMusgrove #ZachMeeks #CaraBowen #SiblingCare #Georgia