Foster Care Week

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• Renee and Mike are passionate carers who strive to make positive change in children’s lives. I’m inspired by their amazing contribution, I’d like to encourage you to watch Renee and Mike's story and how they have supported children in their care to thrive: www.mackillop.org.au/theirstory
  
  
• Foster carers like Rachael and Matthew play an important role in our community by caring for children and young people who aren’t able to live at home. This Foster Care Week, I want to highlight their amazing story and the positive impact they make to children in their care: www.mackillop.org.au/theirstory
  
  
• Each year, the number of children and young people needing foster care grows, but sadly the number of foster carers is not keeping pace. I’d like to highlight the urgent need for foster carers by sharing the amazing work they do to support young people in care. Watch Dave's story: www.mackillop.org.au/theirstory

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• This Foster Care Week, I want to highlight the important role foster carers play in our community by caring for children and young people who aren’t able to live at home.
  
  Renee and Mike have been foster carers with MacKillop Family Services for over five years. They have seen the real difference that foster care has made to those they have helped.
  
  “Kids need a chance and security; they need to know there is someone in their lives who they can rely on. It’s important that they know they have someone in their corner who they can trust and who will always be there for them – they thrive when they know it is genuine,” comments Renee.
  
  “Foster care has been one of the best things we’ve done and foster care has added a wonderful extra dimension to our family.”
  
  Thank you to all foster carers for your kindness, commitment, and care to the life of children and young people who need our support. #fostercareweek24
  
  
• Rachael and Matthew are passionate carers who strive to make positive change in children’s lives. I’m inspired by their amazing contribution and would like to highlight the role fosters carers make to support children in their care to thrive.
  
  With the support of MacKillop Family Services, Rachael and Matthew have provided respite and emergency care to over 100 children and young people for over six years. And it’s very much a family affair. With three boys of their own, foster care has provided a lot of conversation in the household and an opportunity to learn a sense of empathy, gratitude and sharing.
  
  “Our boys have been around foster kids their whole lives and it has been really beneficial for them. We think it’s been such a positive impact to our boys and we feel really proud we can do this as a family,” comments Rachael.
  
  Matthew Buck, who is busy as the Carlton AFLW Coach, encourages people in the community to give it a go. "I encourage people to do the training, you'll find that places like MacKillop are excellent at working around you with what you've got on."
  
  #fostercareweek24
  
  
• Foster Care Week is a special time to celebrate the amazing contributions of foster cares like Dave. Dave strongly advocates for the children in their care and supports them to thrive
  
  Dave always knew that he wanted a family and as time passed, he knew he wanted to include those that needed it the most. Becoming a foster carer three years ago, Dave was first unsure if he could be a foster carer on his own. With the support of MacKillop Family Serivces, Dave finds the experience is rewarding both for him, and the children in his care.

• For years, MacKillop Family Services’ foster carers Joseph and Eveline have helped children thrive in the loving environment of their home. They have welcomed young people of all backgrounds, demonstrating in their daily lives a prized Australian value: acceptance.
  
  The couple began their foster care journey with six young people. They provide a stable home life for the children while in their care.
  
  “The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step,” says Eveline. Her partner, Joseph, reflects on their journey since taking their first step to become foster carers: "It is a very rewarding exercise. Go for it," he says.

Happy Foster Care Week! #fostercareweek24

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MacKillop Family Services is calling for the community to understand the urgency for foster carers across the state and highlighting the positive impact foster carers make to a child’s life.

Battling the ongoing decline in foster carer numbers, MacKillop is urging the community to better understand the role of foster carers, the impact they have on their community, and the support that’s available.

MacKillop CEO Robyn Miller explains: “Factors such as economic pressures or changing demography, where people have children later in life, are impacting the available pool of carers. We know that the best place for children is in loving family homes, it’s getting increasingly difficult to provide those homes.”

Rachael and Matthew Buck are two carers who provide a loving home to children in care. Carers for over six years Rachael and Matthew have provided respite and emergency care to over 100 children and young people.

With three children of their own, the Bucks chose respite and emergency care as it provided them with the flexibility they needed. As the Carlton AFLW Coach, Matthew Buck is busy, particularly during football season.

"I encourage people to do the training, you'll find that places like MacKillop are excellent at working around you with what you've got on," he said.

Rachael shares the experience of foster care has been rewarding for their whole family: “Our boys have been around foster kids their whole lives and it has been really beneficial for them. We think it’s been such a positive impact to our boys.”

“You’ve got to make it work for you and respite care is a flexible option that works for our living arrangement,” explains Rachael.

“We find that most kids that come into our care are really grateful for what you have to offer. Whether it’s just feeling safe, or the food you eat, they’re really happy to be there,” she said.

There are many different types of foster care including: emergency care, respite care, long-term care. Foster carers come from all walks of life and from every culture and religion. They can be single, married, in same sex relationships, work, be retired or study, have children of their own or not. The most important thing is that they want to give a child or young person safety and security.

If you think this is a role that you and your family are ready for or know someone who may be interested to support their community, visit mackillop.org.au/fostercare for more information.

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