It’s rewarding to see a child grow and develop skills needed for life, and have hope for their future.Lynne H., foster parent
Fostering is an experience that can change your life and the life of a child.
Every child deserves to have a home and to feel safe and loved. But sometimes circumstances make it impossible for a child to stay at home or with family. Foster parents can give kids a safe and caring home until they can return to their families or until they find new families through adoption.
We welcome people from all backgrounds and lifestyles. You don’t need to be a hero, or a perfect family – you just need to have a place in your heart and in your home that you’re willing to share for a time with a child.
My foster parents have made me believe in myself.Nicole T., youth in foster care*
Children in need of foster families come from many different backgrounds, and range in age from infants to young adults. In order to meet their needs, we’re committed to matching a child with a foster parent or family with similar ethnic, cultural and religious practices. Although each child is different, they all share one thing in common: an immediate need for a safe and loving family.
Siblings are placed together, and we are always looking for foster parents to provide care for siblings. We also have a philosophy of placing one child or sibling group with each foster family – and in order for us to meet this goal, we need more foster families.
Fostering is an incredibly priceless act of giving value to a youth’s life...Andrew K., Child Protection Worker
When a child can no longer remain with their family, we first try to determine if other adults that the child has a significant relationship with can care for them. The other adults may be any relatives or community members. When this isn’t possible, children are then welcomed by foster parents to be part of their family until a permanent plan for their future can be established.
Careful planning is given to matching children with the most suitable foster parent or family. Being separated from birth parents, extended family, and sometimes siblings, can be scary and confusing. We try to make coming into care less frightening by matching a child with a family with similar ethnic, cultural and religious practices. We also look for a family with similar interests and living near the child’s school and community. For this reason, we’re looking for foster parents and families from all areas of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and the City of Cornwall. Not only does this make a child feel more at ease, but it can also be comforting to the biological family.
...a foster parent has the ability to have a positive impact... Kimberly M., Child Protection Worker
“We’ve enjoyed watching children be more successful as they leave our home. That’s the reason we became foster parents – to help children see they are all unique, and are an essential part of the future. We encourage others who have the time to spend with these children to give it a try as the end rewards are always the greatest.”
Pat & Kim M., foster parents
“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to have a great experience in a foster family. I've grown to be very close with my foster family and have been living there for 14 years. This experience has been very positive for me because communication has always been a big aspect between both my biological and foster family, both were always in contact for whatever reason.”
“My foster parents have always supported me and motivated me to keep reaching my goals. This has benefited me and helped me become who I am today. Fostering is important to me because it proves to youth that there is always somebody willing to help them and be there for them whenever things aren't going positively.”
Paul S., youth in foster care*
“Fostering is an incredibly priceless act of giving value to a youth’s life, and giving hope to families that are struggling. People sometimes think that fostering is an act of sacrifice and generosity, but also I’ve seen how children can actually enrich the lives of the foster parents beyond measure. I encourage you to take the leap of faith.”
Andrew K., Child Protection Worker
“Living in my foster home has been the most incredible experience. My foster parents have made me believe in myself. I am safe and always welcomed with warm hugs. I’m so grateful to have a foster home like I have.”
“Fostering is important because the foster parents give a home to kids who have no home or a broken one. They’re giving their time to take care of these kids. If there were no foster homes, a lot of kids would still be living in a crisis.”
Nicole T., youth in foster care*
“There is a need out there and we felt we should try to help. We still had something to offer as parents, and we wanted to help make a difference in a youth’s life.”
“It’s rewarding to see a child grow and develop skills needed for life, and have hope for their future.”
Lynne H., foster parent
“My foster family has had a positive impact on me and the directions in my life by helping me achieve my goals and providing a positive outlet in my life. Fostering helps guide kids in the right directions. It helps them learn to solve problems, achieve goals, have a good place to live when you need it and most importantly have a family that is there for you, that cares for you and supports you through your choices.”
Catherine P., youth in foster care*
“Opening your heart and home to allow a child to live in a safe and nurturing place where they can heal, grow and flourish with encouragement and support is a reward in itself. Fostering a child during their most vulnerable time of need is a completely rewarding journey even through its highs and lows. As a foster parent, you may only have a child in your home for a season but you will carry that child in your heart for a lifetime. And for that child you will make an imprint and be forever in their heart as someone who was there for them and helped them at an important moment in their life.”
Stacey B., Child Protection Worker
“A foster parent has the ability to have a positive impact in the life of a child that can last a lifetime. In my experience as a worker supporting both children in care and foster parents, I’ve seen first-hand how significant connections are developed between a child and their caregivers when they’re experiencing a difficult time in their young lives.”
Kimberly M., Child Protection Worker
* Youth names have been changed to protect their privacy.
To become a foster parent, you don’t need to be married, have children or own your own home. You do need to have a love of children and time to devote to a child, physically as well as emotionally. As the agency works to bring children and families back together, foster parents are also involved with the child’s biological family through visits, meetings and by being supportive.
Becoming a foster parent is an important decision that can positively change the path of a child’s life, as well as your own life and the life of your family. We’ve got a variety of supports available to help make fostering a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Call us today to learn more about fostering.
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