WHEREAS, Mountain Movers in Russell County works to raise awareness of the need for foster families in the county and to provide resources to allow local families to care for foster children; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, with only 12 local foster families available and more than 65 children in the foster care system, Russell County partnered with the Virginia Department of Social Services to create Mountain Movers; and

WHEREAS, Mountain Movers collaborates with churches and other service organizations to encourage people to become foster parents by providing knowledge and resources; increasing the number of local foster families ensures that children in need of foster care can remain in their home county, continue attending their same school, and stay close to their friends; and

WHEREAS, a faith-based forum that strives to build a network of all churches in Russell County and throughout the region, Mountain Movers has helped extended family members of children become foster parents and reached many new potential foster families; and

WHEREAS, Mountain Movers has also worked to coordinate and provide shelter and support to people in need after natural disasters such as storms and floods; and

WHEREAS, Mountain Movers brings people together to improve the community socially, economically, and spiritually and has helped secure a stronger future for Russell County; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Mountain Movers hereby be commended for its work to support foster families and keep foster children close in their home county; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mountain Movers as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's work to strengthen the Russell County community by advocating for children and families.