Inspiring Conversations with Jolie Chabala of Bananas Foster

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jolie Chabala, Program Coordinator for Bananas Foster. She and their team shared their story with us below:

Emily and Jesse Cole are the owners of the Savannah Bananas, known as “the Greatest Show in Sports.” The Cole’s started the organization with the goal to make baseball fun and bring families together.

After only selling a handful of tickets in the first few months, the Bananas changed the status quo of entertainment and decided to give the power to the fans. The organization was obsessed over the fan experience and did everything they could to put fans first and entertain always. After dedicating every game to the ultimate fan experience, the fans responded and fortunately, the Bananas grew in popularity, selling out every game since 2017.

In their personal life, Emily learned about the need for foster families throughout her teen and college years and even more so after getting involved with communities while working for different minor league teams in young adulthood. Once married, Jesse and Emily chatted about how to get involved with foster care and adoption, which was something both were drawn to supporting. Finally in 2020 after learning so much about the dire need, the Cole Family was licensed, an action that would truly change their life. They knew they’d only be able to bring so many children into their own home but they kept grasping at the idea that the Savannah Bananas could use their platform to make a real difference in the foster care community. Dreams turned to discussions for a nonprofit organization and soon Jesse exclaimed, “We could call it Bananas Foster.” Jesse and Emily locked eyes and Bananas Foster was created.

Bananas Foster is the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit of the Savannah Bananas.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Across the United States, there are over 400,000 children and teens in foster care. Those involved in the foster care community face an immeasurable amount of highs and lows. There is very little conversation about foster care or kids in care and thus a lack of support for both biological and foster families. About 50% of foster families do not renew their license after their first year as a licensed foster family; the reason they do not renew is due to the lack of support.

Along with a biological son, Emily and Jesse Cole currently have two daughters in their home from foster care. Their journey as a family has not been easy but overcoming every obstacle, they are passionate about advocating for the foster care community. Foster care is not talked about in society and thus, these stories are lost and the positive light is diminished. Through the programs at Bananas Foster, we are shedding a positive light on this community. We are telling these stories of the foster care community and hopefully, inspiring others to get involved and make a difference.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Bananas Foster is Bringing Families Together. Our mission is celebrating the foster care community while educating and inspiring others to get involved. All our programs are dedicated to the three keywords in our mission: Celebrate, Educate, and Inspire.

Celebrate – We have two programs based on celebrating the foster care community.

Go Bananas for Game Day: We are bringing families together on game day! This program provides foster families with an ultimate game day experience that includes the VIB (Very Important Banana) experience, interactions with the team, and a behind-the-scenes look at our show; something very few get to experience! Families have an unforgettable experience filled with joy, excitement, and lots of potassium! Simultaneously, we get to share with the crowd how amazing the family is and so they feel the pride from the community.

Potassium CARE Baskets: To make an even greater impact and support foster families, we developed Potassium CARE Baskets. Created with some essential needs, Bananas swag, and personalized items for each family member, these baskets are sure to bring joy and bunches of smiles and encourage them to keep going on hard days.

Educate – Many people are unaware of the struggles and challenges in the foster care community. As part of our mission, we want to educate the public about foster care and ways to get involved. At Bananas Foster, there are four ways to get involved in your local foster care community: donate your time as a volunteer, donate needed supplies to families with children in care, donate financially to nonprofits based around foster care, or donate yourself and become a licensed foster caregiver. We also have one program dedicated to education of foster care.

Educational Partnerships: At Bananas Foster, we know there are lots of other nonprofit organizations that are making a difference in the foster care community. Our goal is to work together with these organizations and use our platform to share their needs to support families and children in care.

Inspire – Stories have the power to connect and inspire and foster care is a part of our Bananas story. From the team owners, a Man-Nana (also known as the Dad Bod Cheerleading Squad), and a former host family for the players, the Savannah Bananas are packed with advocates for the community. We are proud to use our platform as a place of inspiration and to be a part of a narrative that sparks change. Again, our hope is to inspire everyone to get involved and make a difference by donating your time, supplies, financially, or themselves.

What sets Bananas Foster apart is we are focused on the joy of the foster care community. We are celebrating families and sharing their stories to spread awareness and make a difference in the foster care community. We are proud to give our platform to families that want to share their story and spark a change for future children and teens in care.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In the United States, there are not enough licensed foster homes for the amount of children and teens in care. WHAT IF we could inspire so many people to get involved that we create a waitlist of foster homes? The Savannah Bananas couldn’t sell tickets when they first started and now, they have a waitlist of almost 900,000 fans who want tickets. WHAT IF there was a waitlist of foster homes? Our dream is to have a waitlist of foster families so that EVERY child and teen that enters care has not just a home to go to, but the right home for them. While already going through something so traumatic, it would help if a child with disabilities is placed in a home that is equipped and comfortable assisting them or a child that is bilingual is placed in a home that speaks both languages. In the next 5-10 years, it is our goal to create that waitlist of homes and every child, no matter their circumstance, age, or background, will have a home.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bananasfoster.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bananasfosterinc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bananasfosterinc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bananas-foster-inc/

Image Credits
Bananas Foster