Foster Family Appreciation Week, October 14 - 20, 2018

Celebrating families who open their hearts and homes

TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - From October 14 to 20, 2018, the Foster Parent Society of Ontario is collaborating with eight Children's Aid Societies to celebrate the important role foster families play in caring for the most vulnerable children in Ontario.

Participating agencies are; Children's Aid Society of Toronto, Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto, Durham Children's Aid Society, Jewish Family and Child, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, Peel Children's Aid Society, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions and York Region Children's Aid Society.

Foster families are a diverse community of caregivers. They open their hearts and homes to children and youth, who are unable to live at home with their families because they are at risk of harm or their families are temporarily unable to care for them.

Foster families – parents and children – not only provide a safe, stable home for children and youth in need, they invite them into their family in every sense of the word. Foster families also play a fundamental role in supporting family reunification and building strong communities.

Agencies across Ontario will be celebrating in various ways. The eight local agencies are partnering on a campaign to raise awareness about the invaluable role that foster families play. Each agency is hosting events locally to both celebrate their families and to invite others to join the foster care team. 

There is a critical need for more foster parents in order to ensure children and youth have a safe, stable home in their community – especially older youth, children with complex needs, and sibling groups.

On October 17, 2018 at 7 pm, each of the eight agencies is hosting a Foster Parent Information Session. Anyone who is interested in providing children and youth with a stable, supportive and nurturing home is welcome to join us to learn more.

October 17, 2018 at 7 pm, information session details (across GTA)

Children's Aid Society of Toronto: 20 De Boers Drive, Suite 250, Toronto
Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto: 1880 Birchmount Rd, Toronto
Jewish Family and Child: 4600 Bathurst Street - First Floor, Toronto
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto: The Scarborough Family Life Centre, Community Room, 156 Galloway Road, Toronto
Durham Children's Aid Society: 1320 Airport Blvd, Oshawa
Peel Children's Aid Society:  6860 Century Avenue, West Tower, Mississauga
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions: 49 Pine Street, Bracebridge AND 60 Bell Farm Rd, Barrie (two locations)
York Region Children's Aid Society:  120 East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 301, Richmond Hill

SOURCE Children's Aid Society of Toronto

Janie Ryan, Director Resources Child/Yth, Resources for Child & Youth, [email protected]