Three media releases below tell the stories of people with a care experience from WA, Vic and NSW
NSW Care Day Release
Each year, over 45,000 children across Australia grow up in foster care or residential care. These children are unable to live with their parents through no fault of their own, and yet they are often looked down on simply because they have grown up in the care system. As adults, many of these children either hide their history, or experience stigma because of it.
International Care Day, (#CareDay22) on Friday 18 February 2022 is a global celebration of the successes and achievements of children and young people with a care experience. It is the seventh annual Care Day and this year’s theme is: “It takes a village to raise a child”. The focus is on how communities can be a positive influence in the lives of children and young people with a care experience and how transformative these relationships can be for each individual child.
Foster Carer Michael, from Wollongong in New South Wales, understands all too well how vital community support can be for kids in care. Spending time as a ward of state in his youth meant Michael is keenly aware of the number of children and young people who need safe places to live for a whole variety of reasons.
“I needed someone to be there for me and it made all the difference to know I had a secure and supportive home. I vowed that once I had the opportunity to give back, I’d do my bit for kids who need that love and support.”
Michael is currently looking after Talia*, a five-year-old girl who has been in his care since she was six months old.
“Talia is amazing. She is the brightest, happiest, most giggly little girl who loves life and approaches everything with fascination and enthusiasm. My sisters, nieces and nephews all adore her, and she loves it when everyone comes over for dinner, where she is the life and soul of every party!”
MacKillop Family Services is celebrating Care Day by encouraging the community throughout New South Wales to think about how they can be part of the village that supports the experience of young people in care.
Jude Ekerick, MacKillop’s Director NSW South and ACT believes people don’t realise how they can make a positive difference to a child’s life.
“We have a critical need here in NSW for foster carers who provide nurture, stability and positive role modelling to children in care. They come from all walks of life and provide all types of care, choosing to do long-term or short-term care, care on weekends, or provide emergency care. They can be single or married, working, studying or retired and can be from any culture, religion or sexual orientation.”
“Residential care workers are another great support for children and young people in care. They provide a sense of safety, structure, acceptance and security for young people, and connect them to their family, culture and community. We also have opportunities for Live-in youth mentors who provide a positive living home environment to young people transitioning to independent living. Live-in youth mentors can be studying or working and lead by example, establishing household routines and supporting young people to develop their independent living skills.
“Kids in care need our support to achieve their potential,” added Jude, “and there are many ways people in the community can provide that help. We have fabulous young people who have gone on to successful and fulfilling lives, but many others struggle to connect to the community supports that help them to thrive. As a community, we can do better.”
Michael adds, “We need to help kids in care understand that they are strong and they can be who they want to be. As a community we can make it easier for them to succeed and make sure that they are not struggling on their own. Being in care doesn’t define who you are.”
To find out how you can help children and young people in care, visit www.mackillop.org.au/CareDay
VIC Care Day Media Release
It takes a village – International Care Day calls for the community to support kids in care
Each year, over 45,000 children across Australia grow up in foster care or residential care. These children are unable to live with their parents through no fault of their own and yet they are often looked down on simply because they have grown up in the care system. As adults, many of these children either hide their history, or experience stigma because of it.
International Care Day, (#CareDay22) on Friday 18 February 2022 is a global celebration of the successes and achievements of children and young people with a care experience. It is the seventh annual Care Day and this year’s theme is: “It takes a village to raise a child”. The focus is on how communities can be a positive influence in the lives of children and young people with a care experience and how transformative these relationships can be for each individual child.
28-year-old Tayla Ayliffe from Melbourne, who spent much of her teenage life in foster care and residential care, believes it was the relationships she formed with the residential care staff in the home she was living in that had an enduring, positive influence on her life.
“Despite the fact that I was a headstrong teenager, who thought I knew it all and pushed the boundaries, I had a couple of staff around me who never judged me, were always there for me and kept me on the right path. In fact to this day, I still pop around to Sue’s house for dinner and we call each other all the time – she is my rock,” Tayla said.
Tayla, who studied event management at University and is now working full-time, says, “society is too quick to write off kids in care and put us into the ‘someone else’s’ problem box. We need to support kids better while they are in care so that they don’t come out at a disadvantage which they have to fight for the rest of their lives.
“The right advice can help young people with education, managing finances and making good decisions. It’s the reason I advocate for children and young people in care to have the same opportunities as everyone else,” Tayla added.
MacKillop Family Services is celebrating Care Day by encouraging the community throughout Victoria to think about how they can be part of the village that supports the experience of young people in care.
Tania Ferris, MacKillop’s Carer Recruitment Manager, believes people don’t realise how they can make a positive difference to a child’s life.
“We have a critical need here in Victoria for foster carers who provide love, stability and positive role modelling to children in care. They come from all walks of life and provide all types of care, choosing to do long-term or short-term care, care on weekends, or emergency care. They can be single or married, renting, working, studying or retired and can be from any culture, religion or sexual orientation.”
“Residential care workers are another great support for children and young people in care. They provide a sense of safety, structure, acceptance and security for young people, and connect them to their family, culture and community. We also have opportunities for Live-in youth mentors who provide a positive living home environment to young people transitioning to independent living. Live-in youth mentors can be studying or working, and lead by example, establishing household routines and supporting young people to develop their independent living skills.
“Kids in care need our support to achieve their potential,” added Tania, “and there are many ways people in the community can provide that help. We have fabulous young people who have gone on to successful and fulfilling lives, but many others struggle to connect to the community supports that help them to thrive. As a community, we can do better.”
To find out how you can help children and young people in care, visit www.mackillop.org.au/CareDay
WA Care Day Media Release
It takes a village – International Care Day calls for the community to support kids in care
Each year, over 45,000 children across Australia grow up in foster care or residential care. These children are unable to live with their parents through no fault of their own, and yet they are often looked down on simply because they have grown up in the care system. As adults, many of these children either hide their history, or experience stigma because of it.
International Care Day, (#CareDay22) on Friday 18 February 2022 is a global celebration of the successes and achievements of children and young people with a care experience. It is the seventh annual Care Day and this year’s theme is: “It takes a village to raise a child”. The focus is on how communities can be a positive influence in the lives of children and young people with a care experience and how transformative these relationships can be for each individual child.
Nineteen-year-old Sasbia, from Swan Valley north of Perth, WA, spent most of her life in both residential and foster care and is now working for the Department of Communities in Child Protection and Family Support. Sasbia believes the support she received in care taught her to believe in herself and drives her to strive towards a better future.
“I had some tough experiences when I was younger but feel so fortunate that at a crucial time in my teens, I came to live with foster carers who gave me a great deal of love and care and had my best interests at heart. Even after aging out of care, my foster carers continue to be a huge influence on my life, and I know that I will always be a part of their family.
“It’s amazing to get an insight into how the system works from both sides. My experience has driven me to help other children and young people who are or have been in care. I feel strongly about helping kids realise they have so much more resilience in them than they realise.
“I know this because I was that kid who wanted to throw it all away and quit and it would have been so easy to just give up and blame the world for my problems. My foster parents, staff from MacKillop and some good case workers supported me, enabled me to succeed and helped me get to where I am today,” Sasbia added.
MacKillop Family Services is celebrating Care Day by encouraging the community throughout West Australia to think about how they can be part of the village that supports the experience of young people in care.
Kelly Goes, MacKillop’s State Director for WA, believes people don’t realise how they can make a positive difference to a child’s life.
“We have a critical need here in WA for foster carers who provide nurture, stability and positive role modelling to children in care. They come from all walks of life and provide all types of care, choosing to do long-term or short-term care, care on weekends, or provide emergency care. They can be single or married, renting, working, studying or retired and can be from any culture, religion or sexual orientation.”
“Kids in care need our support to achieve their potential,” added Kelly, “and there are many ways people in the community can provide that help. We have fabulous young people like Sasbia who have gone on to successful and fulfilling lives, but many others struggle to connect to the community supports that help them to thrive. As a community, we can do better.”
Sasbia adds, “I learnt about unconditional love and support in care, and I want to see that for the kids I’m working with now. It’s about including us, giving us a chance and understanding we are just like you and your kids, and we need your help.”
To find out how you can help children and young people in care, visit www.mackillop.org.au/CareDay.
