Creating Links’ Matthew Richards says foster carers provide vulnerable children and young people with care and support when they are no longer able to live with their birth families in a safe, secure and nurturing family home.
“Being a foster carer is no ordinary role,” he said.
“It brings with it many challenges but more importantly it is extremely rewarding and life changing not only for the child or young person, but also for you and your family.”
Creating LInks welcomes carers from all walks of life, cultural and religious backgrounds, married couples, single people and same-sex couples.
“You don’t have to own your own home and you can live in an apartment or house,” Matthew said.
“Our carers all have the same goal and belief, and that is every child and young person deserves a nurturing, secure and stable family, and home.”
Initially they weren’t certain but now foster carers Rod and Velia wished they’d done it sooner.
“Have a look at your life, if there is a hole fostering will help you fill it,” Rod said.
“There is a fair amount of effort involved [but] it’s a wonderful way to help the community and help yourself.
“Fostering is an emotional journey that fills you. It gives you that human interaction with a child who needs your assistance.
“Now we have two wonderful girls. If we had our time again, we would’ve done it a lot earlier.”
For more info: creatinglinks.org.au.
