Dear Editor,
Please join us in celebrating some unsung heroes of our communities - the foster families who open their homes to children in crisis. Across Canada, the third week of October is dedicated to Foster Parent Appreciation, where we extend a huge thanks to the families who are making a difference in a child’s life.
Foster families provide much more than a safe place for a child to stay. They are a reassuring, reliable presence during a turbulent time in a child’s life. Many children who come into care have experienced significant trauma and these vulnerable young people need skilled caregivers to help them heal. To that end, foster parents commit many hours of training to help a child and their families cope with the complex emotions that can arise from a traumatic past.
Opening your home to a child in need can be both gratifying and challenging. It takes a special person to share their life with a child in need. Foster families often work with a child’s biological family, ensuring the child retains those important family ties. The ultimate goal of foster care is to see children and their parents reunited in a healthy, loving environment.
Across North Central Alberta, we’ll be holding a series of appreciation events where we can celebrate our wonderful foster parents. Many of the people celebrating with us are former children in care, who grew up and never forgot the families who cared for them.
Thank you to all our foster families! If you’d like to make a difference in a child’s life, please call 1-888-310-3228 for more information on becoming a foster parent.
Sincerely,
Trevor Thain, co-chair,
Audrey Franklin, aboriginal co-chair
