
We strive to meet a wide variety of needs with a focus on sustainability in Public Service, Families, Child Welfare, Human Rights, and Community Public Health.

About Us
At the Foundation for Sustainable Families, we strive to educate, support, strengthen and sustain families, children, and communities. Incorporating expertise from professionals in child welfare, education, social work, environmental sciences, counseling, parenting, medicine, and the arts; we create access to tools that will help both individual families and groups become stable, self-sufficient, and sustainable. Having strong ties to a support system within a family or community is the primary pathway to reversing the cycles of neglect, dysfunction, and abuse that are so costly to a society.
Mission Statement
We believe that a community can only be as productive as its individual parts.
By enriching and supporting education, child welfare, human rights, equality, sustainability, families, and community public health; we can collectively empower one another to succeed despite the struggles individuals or families may be facing.
Key Fields
We provide services, classes, or resources for the following:
Individual or Group Therapy and Counseling
Mental Health Support
Nutrition
Education
World Hunger and Food Security
Supervised Visitation
Foster Care and Adoption
Breastfeeding Support
Paternal Participation in the Family Setting
Pre and Post-Adoption Services
LGBTQ+ Services and Resources
Sustainable Practices
Support to local and International communities
Human Rights
Equality
Experiential Learning Field Trips
Corporate Community Service and Engagement Opportunities
Mental Health Support
Nutrition
Education
World Hunger and Food Security
Supervised Visitation
Foster Care and Adoption
Breastfeeding Support
Paternal Participation in the Family Setting
Pre and Post-Adoption Services
LGBTQ+ Services and Resources
Sustainable Practices
Support to local and International communities
Human Rights
Equality
Experiential Learning Field Trips
Corporate Community Service and Engagement Opportunities
Meet the Team


Ashley Rhodes-Courter, MSW
Founder, Executive Director

Ashley spent almost ten years in foster care before being adopted at the age of 12. Many of her placements were incredibly abusive. Today, Ashley is an MSW and author of the International and New York Times Bestselling memoir, “Three Little Words,” and “Three More Words.” Ashley has spoken world-wide about child welfare, families, human rights, and advocacy. From a young age, she believed that education and community were key tools to survival. Having served as a Guardian ad Litem (CASA) volunteer, foster parent, and adoptive parent, she aims to strengthen and empower other families and youth to succeed. She recognizes that families and individuals must have access to the skills and education they need to sustain themselves emotionally, nutritionally, and functionally.
Learn More at Rhodes-Courter.

Erick Smith
Program Director

Erick was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. Growing up, his family grew nourishing fruits and vegetables in their backyard. His parents’ love and dedication to him and their community inspired Erick take on many civic roles. Erick graduated Eckerd College with a degree in American Studies and a minor in Environmental Studies. Erick and Ashley served as Guardian ad Litem (or CASA) volunteers before they became foster parents. They have cared for over 20 children. Erick is also a conservation volunteer with Pinellas County and has worked with the Sustainable Floridians Master Volunteer Program of University of Florida’s Extension Service, providing researched-based educational programming.

Brandice C., MSW, LCSW
Clinical Services Director

Brandice, LCSW, is a Florida native and a proud University of South Florida Alum. She completed both her Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Social Work from USF and holds certificates in Play Therapy and Adoption Competency. Brandice has provided counseling and support to a wide scope of children in need ranging from the most difficult of foster children to the chronically ill. She is a strong advocate for taking the time to understand a child, their family, and their needs. Brandice believes it is crucial to provide families with the support they need to strengthen relationships and create a healthy & nurturing home environment.

Robin Wiltshire, B.A. Skidmore College
Urban Farmer

Robin is a Florida native and long-time resident of St. Petersburg, Fl. She has been a volunteer Urban Farmer for the past 4 years and was an Early Childhood Educator at Shorecrest Preparatory School for the last 15 years. She retired from teaching to pursue her passion for urban farming full-time. She is now the Assistant Farm Director at WunderFarms, a collective of urban farms dedicated to growing the most nutrient dense greens to donate to charities in the St. Pete area. Robin is also a farm volunteer at the Sustainable Family Farm and tends the groups, and leads field trips and educational opportunities for children from area schools. Robin understands the importance of showing children where food comes from, because when they plant it and tend it, they EAT it!

Eric Law, Owner of Greens ‘n’ Things Urban Farm
Urban Farmer

For years, “Farmer Eric” dreamed of growing his own food and furthering his passion for a self-sustainable lifestyle. Finally, we left his corporate job to follow his vision of owning and operating a small farm. Quickly realizing the significant costs of land, specialized equipment, and maintenance costs; he decided to overcome these burdens by creating an Urban Farming model. Starting with his own front yard, Eric now oversees thousands of square feet of gardens being grown in yards, abandoned lots, and unused acreage to create farm land in one of the most densely populated counties in the State of Florida. Eric sells his produce to farmers markets, restaurants, and runs a Co-op with his hand- tended, fresh, organic produce. His dedication to bettering the community lead him to volunteer with and help oversee growing operations at the Sustainable Family Farm, a cornerstone project of The Foundation for Sustainable Families.
Learn More at Greens 'n' Things Urban Farm.
More from the Founder


What makes a strong, healthy, educated, and independent person? What negative influences lead to failure and dependence? I have often contemplated these questions because as a young girl I did not have equal opportunities for growth and development. For almost a decade I was shuffled around in foster homes and institutions. So many of my former foster brothers and sisters are now incarcerated, homeless, became teen parents, or fell into the cycles of abuse that brought them into care.
Promoting the health, nutrition, education, safety, and prosperity of the next generation is key to ensuring the survival and productivity of every community. My experience and education has taught me that we must invest in children and families as they are the core of this concept.
Globally we have services in place to help vulnerable populations, but child welfare, social work, medical, mental health, faith-based, and educational professionals are often strained because they are underfunded and understaffed. Social service agencies don’t always have the ability to reach all those in need; and yet these problems are too important to be ignored.
Since the state was technically my parent until I was 12, my childhood was governed by child welfare laws, agency rules and policies. But ultimately, it was the love, patience, and dedication of a few individuals that changed my life. My needs and sometimes safety were overlooked by a tangled bureaucracy. Luckily, teachers called-in the abuse reports, which led to the investigation of questionable foster parents. A Guardian ad Litem (CASA volunteer) advocated for me in dependency court. Community members donated goods and services that helped meet my basic necessities and give me enrichment. Through word of mouth, a family became aware of me and they later became my forever home.
Many families require various levels of support and assistance. Some are lucky enough to have close support systems and healthy cooperation, while others need much more complex aid. This assistance does not always necessitate a large, expensive state or private infrastructure. The power of one person or a small, committed group may be more effective at the local level. I began The Foundation for Sustainable Families to use my knowledge and experience to gather like-minded experts, clinicians, and caring individuals to help struggling families and encourage many levels of community support. We aim to mobilize people wanting to contribute time, resources, funds, or expertise. Just as a pebble tossed into a pond sends ripples to the far edges, even a tiny contribution often makes a bigger impact than expected.
This community-based initiative has evolved from my personal and professional understanding that the most valuable changes happen at the family and community levels. We must empower the individual to be self-sufficient and encourage all to take action for themselves and others. By preventing abuse, hunger, neglect, and breaking down barriers to education and resources, we will lay the groundwork for a productive and safer society.
As a concerned Millennial, I advocate that we each become involved and invested in our global future, starting with our children. Lend a helping hand when a family is struggling. Be the student to speak up when you see a peer being bullied. Embrace a friend with some differences. Contribute time or resources to a local agency that serves at-risk populations.
Step Forward, Take Notice, and Take Action!

Since her first National Keynote at age 14, Ashley Rhodes-Courter has shared her story with thousands in the United States and in over 7 countries.
Ashley Rhodes-Courter, MSW, is the quintessential American success story. Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 she was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes—some quite abusive—before being adopted from a Children’s Home at the age of twelve.
Despite her ordeal, she excelled in school because she believed that, “my education was the one thing nobody could take from me.” Early in her life she felt compelled to advocate for herself and the other children she lived with, particularly in the abusive foster homes.
Her efforts and academic achievements landed her Eckerd College’s Trustee Scholarship where she graduated with honors and ahead of schedule earning a double major in Communications and Theater and a double minor in Political Science and Psychology. Ashley then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
During her undergraduate studies, she was one of 20 college students selected for the USA Today All-USA Academic Team and was named one of GLAMOUR Magazine’s Top Ten College Women. She was also selected as one of the four Golden BR!CK Award winners for outstanding advocacy for community change by DoSomething!. As part of their campaign, she was featured on 25 million bags of Cool Ranch Doritos.
By the age of 22, Ashley had become a New York Times Bestselling Author. Her first book, “Three Little Words” is now an International Bestseller and has been published in at least 4 countries. Her second book, “Three More Words” debuted at #1 on Amazon Bestseller’s List. Both books are used in classrooms across the country in various community and First Year Experience Collegiate programs.
Ashley has received State, local, and National awards for her speaking, advocacy, and philanthropy. She has spoken on Capitol Hill and has been invited to the White House twice. “Three Little Words” is now being made into a major motion picture.
Three Little Words
Discover the Power of Your Own Voice
Three Little Words is an International Bestseller and details the inspiring true story of the nearly ten years Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent in the foster care system. Despite all odds against her, Ashley triumphed over painful memories and real-life horrors to ultimately find her own voice.
Ashley lived in fourteen different foster homes, including two group homes. As her mother spiraled out of control, Ashley was left clinging to the unpredictable, dissolving relationship, all the while getting pulled deeper and deeper into the foster care system.
Ashley is juggled between caseworkers, shuffled from school to school, and forced to endure manipulative, humiliating treatment from a very abusive foster family. In this inspiring, unforgettable memoir, Ashley finds the courage to succeed, trust, and bring justice and hope to others.

Three More Words
Discover the Power of Your Own Voice
Three More Words: In the sequel to the New York Times bestselling memoir Three Little Words, Ashley Rhodes-Courter expands on life beyond the foster care system, the joys and heartbreak with a family she’s created, and her efforts to make peace with her past. The first half of the book answers many questions readers often have from the first book. The second half brings Ashley’s life and purpose full-circle.
Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent nearly a decade of her life in fourteen different foster homes. She went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and after becoming a Guardian ad Litem (or CASA) volunteer, she and her husband begin their journey as foster parents, caring for more than 20 children. The latter part of Three More Words details the chilling situations that bring foster children into their care, and explains the heartbreak of watching them return to destructive environments. Ashley also shares the miraculous joy of becoming a biological and adoptive mother.
Whether she’s overcoming self-image issues, responding to calls for her to run for state Senate, or dealing with continuing drama from her biological family, Ashley Rhodes-Courter never fails to impress or inspire with her authentic voice and uplifting message.
