At Fostering Roots Foundation, our mission is to foster a community where vulnerable children, youth, and their caregivers are rooted in hope, supported by community, and empowered to step confidently into their future.
About Us
Our "Why"
Caring for a child in need is one of the most selfless decisions a person can make. Yet for foster, adoptive, and kinship families, that decision is often followed by significant emotional, physical, and financial challenges, many of which come with little ongoing support. Families quickly discover that resources meant to sustain them are either limited or difficult to obtain. As a result, caregivers often become overwhelmed and isolated.
Some of the most common barriers include limited access to affordable and trauma informed childcare, the rising cost of care, gaps in training for both parents and childcare providers, and a lack of consistent mentorship and support for teens preparing to transition out of foster care. These challenges impact not only youth, but also the caregivers who are committed to walking alongside them.
In Madison County, Alabama, there are currently over 440 children in foster care and fewer than 200 active licensed foster homes available to care for them. This gap reflects a growing need and highlights the strain placed on existing families and systems. Too often, the very barriers caregivers face become the reasons others feel unable to open their homes.
Fostering Roots Foundation exists because we believe these barriers can and must be addressed. Our heart is to strengthen families, support caregivers, and equip youth so that more homes can say yes, more children can remain in community, and no young person has to navigate their future alone.
Our People
Shannon Withrow
President
Shannon lives in North Alabama with her husband, Greg. Together they raise six children ranging in age from twenty-five to four. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and, after several years serving as an Army civilian, chose to step away from that career to refocus her time and energy on her family, Fostering Roots Foundation, to pursue a master’s degree in human service counseling.
Throughout her career, Shannon worked in banking, contracting, and public service, building strong relationships and developing leadership and operational skills along the way. Those experiences taught her how to lead teams, steward resources well, navigate complex systems, and bring people together around a shared purpose.
Shannon’s journey as a foster and adoptive parent deeply shaped the work she does today. Parenting children impacted by trauma exposure and neurodivergent disabilities brought both challenges and growth, requiring patience, compassion, and a constant search for answers. Along the way, she became passionate about building relationships, networking with professionals, and finding meaningful resources that support both children and the caregivers who walk alongside them.
Fostering Roots Foundation was created to come alongside families who are walking similar paths and to help remove the barriers that make caring for vulnerable children feel overwhelming or isolating. At its heart, the foundation exists to strengthen families, build community, and live out a commitment to Love Like Jesus through practical support, compassion, and action.
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.
Ta'Teyana Tillman
Secretary
Ta’Teyana was raised in Huntsville, AL, and is a dedicated preschool teacher with a passion for supporting children through life’s challenges. As the oldest of four siblings and several cousins, she naturally stepped into a caregiver role early on, gaining invaluable experience nurturing and guiding children. Having also spent time in foster care herself, Ta’Teyana brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her position. She is eager to share her story and experiences to help shape brighter futures for children in care. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family and friends. Ta’Teyana is honored to serve with Fostering Roots Foundation and looks forward to making a positive impact in her community.
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.
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, LMSW
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.
LaRhonda Glass, LBSW
board member
LaRhonda is a dedicated single mother of two biological children, one adopted child, and a proud grandmother. She is a Licensed Social Worker and Certified Life Coach with over 15 years of experience serving children and families.
LaRhonda earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from the University of Mississippi and faithfully served on the frontlines with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services for 11 years. She later worked as a Family Specialist with Southern Christian Services, licensing therapeutic foster homes across the North Mississippi area. In October 2024, LaRhonda relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where she continues her commitment to child and family welfare as a social worker with the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes.
LaRhonda is passionate about educating, encouraging, and empowering others to live with intention. Her mission is to help individuals shift their perspective on life’s challenges recognizing that there is purpose in pain and that the journey is just as meaningful as the destination.
Resources
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.
Donate
We are deeply grateful you chose to support the work of Fostering Roots Foundation through a monthly or general donation. Your generosity allows us to steward resources wisely and serve others with compassion and purpose, both now and in the future.
Fostering Roots Foundation is an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
For more information on the services we provide, please complete the form below.
Serving the foster, adoptive, & kinship communities of Madison County, AL and the surrounding areas.
Located in Hazel Green, AL.
EIN: 99-1118587
Phone: 256-813-8447