People Places, Inc.

Fifty Years of Turning Ordinary Families into a Lifeline

People Places was established in 1973 in Staunton as one of the nation’s very first treatment foster care agencies. More than five decades later it remains a local leader, with a mission it states plainly: fostering resilience in children and families so they can thrive. The need is real and close to home. There are over 5,000 children in foster care in Virginia, and more than 900 in the communities People Places serve, which is why the agency is always in need of foster families, and why it works so hard to support the ones who step up.

Why Families Love It

What sets People Places apart in the daunting world of fostering is the support they provide every step of the way. Instead of handing families off, they build a true partnership. Foster families receive thorough training, thoughtful child-to-home matching, and dedicated case workers with small caseloads who are there when needed. In addition, families have access to 24/7 crisis support, respite care, monthly support groups, one-on-one training, and a monthly stipend. Because People Places uses a therapeutic, treatment-focused model, they help children heal from trauma while giving families the opportunity to foster and adopt through one trusted agency. As one foster parent shared, “It is awesome to be a part of someone’s story,” watching lives change through everyday family moments. People Places earned the CharlottesvilleFamily Family Favorite award in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

What to Expect if You’re Considering It

The first step is refreshingly low-pressure: a free virtual foster care information meeting, which People Places holds regularly, where you can ask absolutely anything and learn what fostering really involves before committing to anything. If you decide to move forward, you’ll complete certified foster parent training. From there, the team carefully matches you with a child and supports you at every step. You don’t need to be a perfect or expert parent to do this well; you need room in your home and a willingness to show up. With offices in Charlottesville, Staunton, and Harrisonburg, it’s genuinely local work.