At the heart of our mission to support youth in crisis is Evolve, a community-based program designed to provide therapeutic foster care in a stable, family-like environment. We sat down with Megan Lewin, Evolve’s Operations Manager, to discuss the program’s growth in Augusta, the challenges of foster care, and the small victories that make it all worthwhile.

Life Inside an Evolve Home

The Evolve program focuses on creating a “home-like” environment. This is made tangible in the design of each new residence, which prioritizes individual bedrooms for every child. It is a crucial design choice that fosters a sense of safety, autonomy, and belonging for teenagers who have often come from challenging residential environments. Each home houses four youth, with six homes now in Augusta and one in Conyers.

Beyond the physical space, the “Evolve family” shows up for one another. This spirit of community is best seen in how the residents support each other’s milestones. For example, one resident has played football for the local high school for the past two years. During his first season, the Evolve team had custom T-shirts made and attended homecoming with posters to celebrate him. That tradition continued this year, with the “Evolve family” wearing their shirts and cheering him on through the playoffs.

The bonds formed here are deep, making transitions bittersweet. We are currently preparing to say a fond farewell to another one of our athletes,a talented baseball player who is discharging to a step-down program. While he will be greatly missed, his move is a major milestone: it brings him closer to his mother, with the ultimate goal of family reunification.

Meet Sparky: The Gentle Giant

One of Evolve’s most popular staff members is Sparky, a Great Dane trained as a therapeutic dog. Sparky visits the houses twice a week to offer snuggles and emotional support. “The kids love to pet him and give him treats,” Megan shared.

Sparky has even become a bit of a local celebrity! He was recently featured by WRDW-TV Augusta in their “Finding Solutions” segment, which highlighted how his presence helps children in foster care regulate their emotions. As Megan told the news station, Sparky provides a unique type of support that humans sometimes can’t—he’s a non-judgmental friend who is always there to listen.

Growth and Challenges

The demand for therapeutic foster care is staggering, with Evolve receiving an average of 45 referrals every week. To meet this need, the program is expanding, with two new homes set to open this spring in the Augusta area.

While the expansion is exciting, it also brings a need to grow our Evolve team. We are actively seeking more dedicated staff to ensure the new homes can open this spring. “This work isn’t for everyone,” Megan explained, “but for those with a heart for teenagers with behavioral and mental health needs, the rewards of seeing a child thrive are immeasurable”.

Hopes for This Year

When we asked Megan what her primary goal was for Evolve as we look further into 2026, her answer was a powerful reminder of what it takes to sustain this work: prioritizing the heart of the home.

Megan’s focus for the coming year is championing the importance of self-care. In a field fueled by deep empathy, it is easy for caregivers and staff to neglect their own well-being while pouring everything into the children they serve. She believes that for Evolve to remain a pillar of stability, the people within it must be supported as well.

She emphasized that “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. Whether it is Megan in her operations role or the foster parents and professional staff on the front lines, our organizational hope for 2026 is to ensure every team member is cared for, because a healthy, supported team is what allows Evolve to continue building healthy, supported lives for our kids.

Partner With Evolve: Build a Home, Heal a Heart

The demand for our therapeutic foster care is immense, with Evolve receiving an average of 45 referrals weekly. We are actively expanding our mission with two new homes set to open this spring in the Augusta area. Your partnership is crucial to turn these houses into homes.

We are seeking partners for:

• Building & Renovation: Helping us finalize the physical spaces.
• Furnishings: Providing the essential items that create a safe, stable, and comfortable environment for our youth.

Every new home offers a fresh start. A gift of $90,000 fully equips and opens a new Evolve home, securing a future of healing and stability for four teenagers in crisis. To discuss partnership opportunities, please contact sfuller@murphyharpst.org directly.