COMMUNITY forums in the Riverland will highlight the need for more people to open their hearts and homes to children and young people as foster carers.
ac.care will host the Supporting Vulnerable Children in Our Community forums on August 19 in Berri and Renmark.
“There are sadly not enough foster carers in the Riverland to provide safe homes and positive relationships for the growing number of young people who are unable to live with their biological parents due to no fault of their own,” ac.care Riverland foster care manager Tenille Chartres said.
“This is a significant social issue for our community and we hope this forum allows people to learn more about the local situation and the inspiring difference foster carers can make in young lives.”
A key element of the event will be the premiere of short films specially produced for the events featuring foster carers from the region sharing their caring journey.
The inspiring carers will also answer questions from the audiences following the screenings, where ac.care staff and other guests involved in the child protection sector will also share information and answer questions.
“Although there are many challenges in our work to provide opportunities for young people to thrive, we are lucky at ac.care to work with amazing foster carers who truly transform the lives of vulnerable young people,” Ms Chartres said.
“We look forward to sharing some of these many positive stories with the audience to show the value of foster care for not only the young people involved, but also the carers, who often find new meaning and purpose in their lives by opening their hearts and homes to young people.”
Ms Chartres urged people to attend the forums at the Vines Community Church at 1 Jellett Road in Berri from noon and the Chaffey Community Centre at 86, 19th Street in Renmark from 6pm on August 19 to learn more about the needs of young people in the region.
Bookings are required for COVID-19 tracing purposes and can be made by visiting Foster Care Forums – ac.care (accare.org.au)
