Fostering children fulfilling experience

BY LAUREL MYERS

People across Sudbury have been stepping up for the children in the community for the past 100 years, offering a safe environment and compassionate care for children in need.

But the need is ongoing, and the Children's Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin is calling for more foster parents to come forward, to open their hearts and give of themselves and their homes.

"We're always recruiting new foster parents because we can never predict when children will come into care," said Irene Laplante, kinship care worker with the Children's Aid Society.

"We're very fortunate here in Sudbury that we have families that really want to help the children... but we're always looking for new homes.

"What's been happening is we overload foster parents because we have a lack of resources."

However, taking on the role of a foster parent is neither a lonely nor unsupported venture.

"We want the community to be aware, that when they embark on this journey to be a foster parent, they are not alone," Laplante said.

The Foster Parents Association was established for just that reason. The association is made up of a group of foster parents who devote their time to helping other foster parents.

"We serve a number of functions," said Denis Boisvenue, president of the association. "We help foster parents with issues, advocate for them and mentor them."

Nancy McFarlane, secretary of the association, has been fostering children for eight of the last nine years. She said that although there are trials, it's the positives that come out of fostering that make it all worthwhile.

"At the end of the day, it feels very successful," she said. "The children come and they grow with you, and sometimes you have to let them go. But they don't come into our lives and not impact us, they impact us in a very special way."

With three grown children of her own, McFarlane said she called the Foster Parent Association three times before making the decision to become a foster parent. She has helped four children on their journey through life since then.

"We have many challenges with our children, whether our biological children or foster children, so it's a great learning experience," she said.

However, she said the opportunity for growth is not exclusive to the foster child and parents.

"One of the greatest things is we (foster parents) have an opportunity to build a family with the biological family," she said. "We don't shun the biological family, we work together as a team."

One of the major messages the association is trying to bring to light is that teenagers need foster homes as well.

Boisvenue has been fostering teenage boys for the last five years and said "there is a misconception that all teens are difficult.

"I really don't believe that's true," he said. "Some of them are, I won't deny that, but I happen to have some in my home that are just like any other kid. Yes, we have our days, but it's no different than anyone else with teens at home."

The foster children fill a void, Boisvenue said.

"Our kids are grown up and gone. I miss sitting at the table with them and talking, and now we get that back in the foster kids," he said.

"We have to focus on what we get from it as foster parents, the pleasure we get from seeing kids that are enjoying themselves. You can see the change in their eyes. It's about the children and you have to take chances sometimes," Boisvenue added. "For the most part, it works out."

The Children's Aid Society offers renumeration for fostering children, including room, board, clothing, activities, and other expenses incurred.

"The agency provides a lot for the child so as a foster parent, it is not out of our pocket," Boisvenue said. "Without that assistance, many families couldn't foster."

A website - sudburymanitoulinfpa.com - is currently in its developmental stage. Once launched, it will offer links to different associations throughout the province, a chat room, an events calendar and access to the monthly newsletter put out by the Foster Parents Association.

Those interested in becoming a foster parent, or who would like more information, can contact the Children's Aid Society at 566-3113, and ask for the resource department, or drop in at 319 Lasalle Boulevard, Unit 3, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.