Hidden Gems: Meet Fran Maynard of Tennessee Alliance For Kids

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fran Maynard.

Fran, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I would like to start by saying thank you, NashvilleVoyager for sharing Tn. Alliance For Kids (TAK) story. I first got involved with TAK when I decided to have a TAK PAK party for my birthday 2 years ago. TAK PAKS are backpacks filled with essentials and comfort items for children entering foster care. You see, my family is a foster family and I got to witness first hand our community come alongside and support us when we took in our first child. They went above and beyond in any way they could to help. So, I wanted to have an event that connected my community and their heart for service with a tangible way to literally reach kids in our area. I reached out to TAK and Sandra Ney, who founded TAK PAKs, and asked how I could go about doing this. This event is how I got connected to TAK, where I am now honored to be working for the past 2 years.

The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) cannot solicit donations as a government agency and out of a need for tangible support, Tennessee Alliance for Kids (TAK) was established in 2016. The Davidson County DCS Team Leader [at the time], Ann Brooks, met with like-minded community leaders to help them create a nonprofit that supported DCS. TAK began serving the Davidson and Williamson County DCS offices including the Office of Independent Living.

In 2020, TAK expanded to cover the Mid-Cumberland DCS offices [8 counties] and Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes (TBCH).

Through these agencies, when social workers identify critical needs of children, TAK meets those needs through tangible items we call FosterLove.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every company has its growing pains and TAK is not the exception. Our biggest challenge would be that we are a small team and we have to wear many hats. With each challenge TAK has encountered, our team has set out to humbly learn and grow through them, coming out on the other side with fresh eyes and a new growth perspective.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Tennessee Alliance for Kids (TAK) engages the community to meet the emergent and ongoing needs of children in foster care, those at risk of coming into foster care, and those aging out. We assist families working on reunification, families trying to stay intact and youth in the Extension of Foster Care (EFC) program.

The items we provide we call, FosterLove. These items include beds, mattresses, strollers, car seats, pack n’ plays, clothing, food and school supplies. We also provide TAK PAKS to children entering foster care. TAK PAKS are backpacks filled with essential and comfort items for children entering foster care.

TAK is known for being a consistent and active community partner. Whether providing for the needs of a child in foster care and foster families, assisting biological families to prepare for reunification or preventing custodial cases due to support, TAK is known for being ready and available. I think the people we serve say it best.

“TAK has been supportive to me and Resource Linkage through continuous support with TAK PAKS, beds, clothing and food for children and families in Davidson County.
Since October 2020, we have averaged about 650 children in custody. In addition to their daily support over the last nine months, TAK partnered with the Davidson Co. Resource Linkage office to host Christmas, employee appreciation, Easter and graduation events for staff, foster families and children receiving services from the agency. TAK has helped keep families together and reunify them by providing supplies. TAK’s biggest impact is simply their ability and readiness to respond timely and during an emergency.” – Resource Linkage Team Leader Davidson County

“What a gift to be able to witness the joy the TAK PAKS brought to 16 and 12 year old sisters who were emergency placed with us in the middle of the night! Having some new personal care and comfort items packed in a backpack they could keep their few belongings in was a bright spot for them during a difficult time.” – Williamson County foster family

“Please tell TAK ‘THANK YOU!’ I would not have made it to my job interview without the Uber card they gave me. Oh, I got the job! 😊” – EFC youth

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
We are excited to announce that we will soon be expanding to serve all of Tennessee’s DCS offices through Amazon wish lists.

As our new website is developed and with our collaboration with Tn. Fosters Hope, we will soon be providing a way for people to serve and support the community where they eat work and play by simply clicking on their region on a map on our website.

More details to come!

Pricing:

• $25 buys a set of linens
• $50 buys a pack n’ play
• $100 buys a twin mattress
• $125 buys a car seat
• $200 buys bunk beds

Contact Info:

• Email: info@tnallianceforkids.org
• Website: https://tnallianceforkids.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tennesseeallianceforkids/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TNAllianceForKids

Image Credits:
Christy Bryan