Winston-Salem’s CROSSNORE

While the upcoming holidays are a time to celebrate family and give thanks, the holiday season is also about giving back to those in need. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, every child deserves a warm, loving household in which to celebrate. Since it’s easy to forget what truly matters by getting caught up in pumpkin pies and holiday hype, November is also home to National Adoption Month, designed to raise awareness for the millions of children and teens in foster care throughout the country. Statistics from Alternative Family Statistics show that a staggering six percent of U.S. children will be placed in the foster care system before their 18th birthday. Across the nation, there is a grave need for foster families of all cultures, backgrounds, and strengths to provide children with supportive, loving homes. Crossnore Communities for Children of Winston-Salem knows all too well the dire need for foster families as they work diligently to mindfully place children with foster families based on the specific needs of the child and family.

A solid familial foundation is imperative in the development and future success of children and youth. According to a study from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire, children who have been placed in multiple foster homes are more likely to experience disruptions in brain growth, psychological adjustment, and mental development. Sadly, these children and teens are also more likely to display behavioral and emotional problems in contrast to their peers who have been adopted or have been reunited with their birth families. Other statistics show that less than one in four children in foster care will enroll in college, jeopardizing their long-term financial stability and overall satisfaction with the course of their adult lives. To combat the negative effects of multiple placements in foster care for a prolonged amount of time, it is imperative that organizations such as Crossnore find the perfect fit for children and families until a child is adopted or reunited with his or her birth family.

Children in foster care aren’t the only ones impacted by the presence of a supportive and nurturing foster family. Foster parents can also model empathy, compassion, and a sense of community for their biological children, who will be more likely to continue the cycle as adults. Interested in becoming a foster parent or family? Crossnore’s recruitment team and licensing workers are adept at speaking with prospective foster families and providing monthly information sessions open to the public to provide clarity on what various Crossnore programs entail. Families are thoroughly assessed based on their strengths, income, how much space is available for welcoming children into the household, and whether they have the support and resources necessary for children with special therapeutic or behavioral needs. Because each family is unique, the approval process can last anywhere from three to six months, depending on how eager families are to get started and how quickly each family completes precertification training courses. Courses are designed to teach prospective foster families how to engage with their foster children so that no foster family feels underprepared for their first placement.

Aside from the general need for foster families, Crossnore is seeking families specifically in the Forsyth County area. At Crossnore, the staff strives to place children in their hometown, ideally within their original school district, whenever possible. Due to foster family shortages, however, this is unfortunately not possible for all referrals. In September, only 40 referrals were able to be placed within their home county, with 144 referrals being placed outside of their hometowns and school districts. Additionally, Crossnore is seeking families with resources and skill sets that would accommodate children of special populations as well, including Spanish-speaking families, those with an understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, or households with plenty of time to dedicate to the nurture and care of children in need of a therapeutic home. Thanks to the prolific referrals team at Crossnore, children are thoroughly assessed

for their specific needs, preferences, backgrounds, and individual differences, and are carefully placed with a family attuned to meeting those needs. The referrals team uses keen critical thinking skills and intuition to make sure placements are a good fit for everyone involved.

It’s understandable to be apprehensive about potentially becoming a foster family. Parents might worry about how expanding their family will impact existing children in the household or whether they will truly have the time and energy to dedicate to helping children in need. Fortunately, Crossnore is also recruiting families interested in providing respite services to children. Respite families are able to dip their toes into the foster family pool by providing care for as little as one day or for as long as 30 days. Because the team at Crossnore understands that this is a new process for families and children alike, there’s no need to stress about perfection. To become a stable foster family, you don’t need to be a licensed social worker or behavioral therapist to be a safe place to fall.

To help families every step of the way, Crossnore provides each family with 24/7 support, as needed in times of crisis. Caseworkers are assigned to families to serve as guides when navigating the potential rocky waters of first-time foster families. Families are also provided with ongoing training courses focused on preparing for various scenarios and how to help a child make a smooth transition into their home.

Therapeutic families undergo a more thorough evaluation process and training program, fully preparing families for how to respond to the needs of children who have experienced significant trauma or have been in the DSS system for a long period of time. Many times, therapeutic families provide care to fewer children, in order to provide adequate time and attention to each child within their household.

The team at Crossnore thoroughly believes that children belong with their families. The goal of Crossnore’s Bridging Families Program is to successfully reunite children with their birth parents by implementing a structured and gradual reunification process. Bridging Families provides children with medical and mental health services, educational assistance, recreational opportunities, and a crucial support network. With the help of highly trained Bridge Parents, specializing in trauma-informed care, birth parents receive coaching on parenting skills, education on trauma, and skills for nurturing relationships with team members. Additionally, birth parents are provided with resources and are guided by the Bridging Families team throughout the entire reunification process. Bridge Parents also care for children in a Crossnore home while birth parents make strides to complete their reunification plan.

Crossnore isn’t just looking for foster families. To provide optimum care to all referrals and children in foster care, Crossnore is looking for compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking individuals to join their team. If you’re interested in becoming a staff member at Crossnore, you can serve children in a parenting role outside of your home by becoming a cottage parent, residential advisor, or becoming a Bridge Parent for the Bridging Families Program. If you’re ready to join the team, visit www.crossnore.org for all available careers and positions at Crossnore Communities for Children.

If you’re unable to become a foster parent, but would like to help support Crossnore’s mission, visit the organization’s website to make a donation or learn about the various volunteer opportunities available. For any other questions or concerns, call (336) 721-7600 or e-mail info@crossnore.org.

The weekly ritual of taking out the trash is a commitment in aerobics, strength, and quite possibly, avoiding toxic fumes! Organic trash can comprise kitchen waste, such as eggshells, coffee grounds, peels from potatoes, carrots, bananas, celery and much more. For example, the contents from your Roomba, used paper towels, napkins, and other paper products. Did you know all of these are decomposable? Yes, the act of taking a small bucket of scraps with a breathable lid to your compost pile is an extra step, but the rewards are worth it.

The “Container”

The purpose of a “bin” is to establish a location that will receive direct sunlight and moisture. You can use inexpensive materials like old pallets, scrap lumber, chicken wire, or concrete blocks to create a simple two- or three-system enclosure. Otherwise, you can buy a ready-made system online or at a lawn and garden store.

Placement Is Important

Now that you have decided to go forth with composting, finding a well-chosen site relatively close to the house may be the hardest part.

A few points to consider:

• How far are you willing to walk to “dump” a bucket of kitchen scraps?

• If the bin is constructed next to the garden, think how easy it will be to collect the harvest and toss the excess into the composter. There will no longer be a need to worry about bringing bugs into the house or discarding bulky organic waste.

• Will a water hose stretch to your bin? Compost requires some water, especially in the heat of the summer. But too much water, and the decomposition process will result in a putrid odor. If this occurs, there are easy solutions, such as turning the pile or adding “good browns,” like dried leaves or shredded newspaper. Good compost should always have a “sweet” smell.

with Success

BY LISA S.T. DOSS*

The Recipe

In having a compost bin, you’ll always have extra soil to amend the garden or add around bushes or flower beds. With the support and contribution of each member of the family, the task of composting is quite simple! It requires four ingredients: nitrogen, carbon, moisture, and air.

• One Part Nitrogen Source: Greens comprise heavy materials that rot quickly while producing microbial growth. Examples are grass clippings, garden trimmings, and kitchen waste.

• Two Parts Carbon Source: Brown compost contains a high carbon content, such as paper, shredded woody materials, and straw. Since

“browns” are dry and bulky and decompose slowly, they provide the perfect catalyst for the “green” ingredients to receive air.

• Air: Oxygen is a necessary vehicle to stimulate microorganisms and decomposition. Tumbler systems allow the contents to move, creating pockets of air, advancing the process; otherwise, a pitchfork works just as well to lift and fluff. As the microbes work to break down the matter, heat is generated. The center of the pile can reach temperatures up to 150 degrees! Active turning encourages the distribution of heat from the sides to the middle.

• Moisture: Open systems provide a natural means to add water; however, the compost should be damp and not soggy.

What Else Is Compostable?

The list of compostable items is truly grand. Beyond the rinds, seed pits, and peels, you also can compost:

• wood chips • burnt matches • post-it notes • lint from the dryer • outdated seeds • wood ash • sawdust • shredded newspaper • Kleenex tissues • old spices • pencil shavings • leaves • houseplant trimmings • flower petals • nut shells • receipts • cereal boxes

Of course, the list continues.

Compost Tea

Did your grandmother ever add a scoop of compost and twenty parts rainwater to a bucket or watering can, stirring periodically, across two to four hours? It was a routine immersed in love to boost the nutrient levels of her plants. The same result occurs when you drink a hot cup of infused herbal tea. The water-soluble nutrients will have an impact on your body, encourage strength and wellness! Give it a try!

*Lisa is an N.C. State Master Gardener Volunteer and a statecertified beekeeper.