About us
Foster 180 believes in a community-centered approach to foster care. By fostering connections and support among families, we aim to create a nurturing environment that promotes healing and growth. Together, we can build a brighter future for children and families in need, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Join us in our mission to make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
Our Story
Follow the link to the "Say Yes" podcast to hear the heart of Foster 180 co-founders Bill and Jenny Sanders
Our Team
Jenny Sanders
Jenny Sanders serves as Executive Director, and is a co-founder of Foster 180. In these roles she is a dedicated advocate for children, families, and TBRI awareness in Tennessee. She works as a Resource Advocate for Wilson County Juvenile Court, is a wife, mom, adoptive mom, and former foster parent whose lived experience deeply informs her work. Jenny is a leader in advancing TBRI practice statewide. She helped develop TN-KEY, Tennessee’s official foster parent curriculum, equipping caregivers with practical tools rooted in connection, regulation, and resilience. Jenny is a TBRI Practitioner, Certified Parent Coach, and Instinctual Trauma Response Therapy Specialist, bridging relational, behavioral, and therapeutic approaches in her trainings.
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Kourtney Bolton
Kourtney Bolton serves as Program Director for Foster 180, where she focuses on strengthening the systems that support foster families and kinship caregivers. With a background in nursing and years of experience working with at-risk youth, Kourtney brings an informed, relational approach to program development, training, and community collaboration. She is passionate about helping families feel less isolated and more equipped, believing that sustainable support is essential for long-term stability and healing.
Samuel Bolton
Samuel Bolton serves as Event Coordinator for Foster 180, bringing extensive experience in volunteer leadership and community engagement. He previously served as Director of Volunteers for the Nashville Rescue Mission while earning his Master’s in Theology from Trevecca Nazarene University and completing his chaplaincy training with Vanderbilt University. Samuel is passionate about creating welcoming, well-organized spaces that foster connection, dignity, and meaningful community support.
Organizational Cohort
Our Generations Cohort is a collaborative initiative with FAM Essentials, and Just Serve. Rooted in community care, dignity, and practical support for elder caregivers, kinship families, and foster families, this cohort brings together local partners who share a commitment to serving intergenerational needs across Wilson County. As a team, we host regular events for this community at central locaitons like Jimmy Floyd, First United Methodist Church, and with the City of Lebanon at Don Fox Park. Check our events page for the next Generations event!"
Our Affiliates
Safe & Secure TN equips caregivers and professionals with research-based, trauma-informed training rooted in Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI).
Foster 180, a SSTN Champion Organization, having the privilege of partnering with Empowered to Connect to train individuals and organization across Wilson County.
One recent training gave the opportunity for all of our Wilson County Student Resource Officers to be trained in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Training these officers means there is a potential to engage every public schooled child in Wilson County through the lens of Trust Based Relational Intervention!!
Families Count partners with local churches to offer a 6-week, biblically-based class plus mentoring for parents who are working toward reunification, facing separation risks, or simply striving to build stable, safe family rhythms.
Through Foster 180’s connection with Families Count, we help bring this resource into our network—making sure that foster, birth, and kinship families aren’t just surviving, but being strengthened for the long-haul of generational change.
Every Child TN is a statewide initiative mobilizing Tennesseans to care for children, youth, and families before, during, and after foster care.
Their focus rests on four key priorities: Preservation — strengthening families so children may stay safe at home; Recruitment — growing a diverse pool of foster families; Retention — supporting those families to stay engaged long term; and Transition — helping youth aging out of foster care step into adulthood with more tools.
Through our partnership with Every Child TN, Foster 180 taps into the bigger movement—bringing local families into a state-wide embrace of community, resources, and hope.
As a strong leader in Tennessee, TKB offers resources, and connection for foster families across our state.
We appreciate our partnership and collaboration with Tennessee Kids Belong
Become a James 1:27 Church.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world..” -ESV
There are nearly 400,000 foster children in the US, -the same number of churches. What if every church supported a foster child? What if every church stepped in to become CARE teams for foster families in our community. Not every family is called to open their home to foster, but every person is called to care. There are many opportunities for churches to be involved in this work.
A James 1:27 Church answers the call to care for our vulnerable youth and their families with programs like CARE teams (Cards, Acts of Service, Respite and Encouragement through Prayer teams) and Families Count.
Feel the call? We can help you get started.