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Foster New Beginnings highlights importance of foster care

Sep 19, 2018 | 2:00 PM

This week marks the start of the Foster New Beginnings campaign in the Battlefords. This is the second-annual campaign of its kind, and will run for two weeks.

Deb Davies is the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Foster Families Association (SFFA), a community-based organization that provides support for both prospective and approved foster parents across Saskatchewan.

Davies became a foster parent, herself, over 30 years ago. She said the idea behind the Foster New Beginnings campaign is to help raise awareness of the importance of foster families.

“The Foster Family Recruitment campaign is to reach out to our community to ask people to consider becoming a foster parent,” Davies said. What we’re trying to do is provide information and awareness about what fostering is all about and the need for foster families.”

Last year the SFFA reached their goal of finding 50 new foster homes in Saskatchewan. With several youth still in significant need of a place to call home throughout the region, and in the Battlefords area specifically, this year the organization is hoping to find another 60 new homes within the province.  

Davies said talking to people about what fostering is all about is the first step.

“We’ve been hosting coffee talks throughout the province inviting people to in-person informational sessions,” she said. “Along with that, the Foster New Beginnings recruitment campaign will include a mailed out informational card that everyone in the Battlefords and surrounding area will receive.”

The informational card will give a quick snapshot of what fostering a child entails, along with some basic information detailing the need for foster families. People who are interested in learning more, or have specific questions with regards to fostering, can contact the SFFA office.

When asked about the importance of fostering, Davies said in addition to giving a home to those in need, fostering has a unique way of benefiting the community as well.  

“It’s giving back to the community. There’s children who require out of home care and we’re asking people to give back to their community, and if they have space in their home, to open their home and their heart to children who are requiring out of home care.”

For more information on becoming a foster family, visit the SFFA website.

 

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1