Foster carers open their homes and hearts

At a special lunch event at Canley Vale, in south-western Sydney, around 20 foster carers of Vietnamese background were acknowledged as part of Foster Care Week, an initiative of the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) and non-government foster care agencies.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis told the gathering: “The Multicultural Foster Care Service is based on the belief that children and young people from non-English speaking backgrounds are strengthened through knowing about and having connections with their cultural heritage.

“I acknowledge your efforts in maintaining the cultural connection for your foster children through activities such as language classes, visiting places of worship and youth groups.

“As foster carers you help create a safer community. As foster carers you open your doors to children and young people who are complete strangers to you and your family, yet you welcome them into your home. And for the time they are with you, the children in your care become part of your family, and feel safe and loved,” Ms Roumeliotis added.

The Multicultural Foster Care Service is a provider of out-of-home care services specifically for children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Earlier, ACWA Acting CEO Wendy Foote said: “Foster Care Week gives us the chance to recognise the diverse range of foster carers for the care they provide. Whether they open their homes and hearts to foster children for the long term, short term, weekend or in a respite capacity, these members of our community are the quiet achievers in our midst.”

ACWA is running the statewide “Open Your Heart” Fostering NSW campaign to help fill an ongoing need in for foster carers to provide a range of care options, from emergency, respite and short care through to long term/permanent care arrangements.

People thinking about becoming a foster carer can access information through the Fostering NSW website www.fosteringnsw.com.au or the Fostering NSW hotline on 1800 236 783.

SSI Media Contacts:
Angela Calabrese, Marketing & Communications Manager, 0401 284 828 or
Rekha Sanghi, Communications Officer 0422 304 578