Inspired by making a difference

To be trusted by someone who has every reason not to trust is an awesome feeling

Foster carers provide a safe and stable environment for children while allowing their parents an opportunity to seek assistance and get back on track, foster carer Kelly says.

The 40 year-old and her husband have been fostering through Uniting Country SA for five years, caring for 20 children in that time, across emergency, respite, short term and long term care.

The Crystal Brook couple now have one child in their long-term care and one child in a short-term placement.

Kelly says she was inspired to begin foster caring after recognising the large need in the community for safe and nurturing environments for at-risk children and young people.

“I am lucky enough to be able to be a stay at home parent making me able to provide a safe, loving home for these young people, for however long they may need it,” she says.

Kelly has shared her story as part of a #FosterCareSA social media campaign to bring greater awareness to the need for more foster carers in South Australia.

There were many rewards, as well as some challenges, that came with being a foster carer, she says.

“Knowing that you have made a difference in a child’s life, even if they are only with you for one night, the fact that they have been able to have a warm bath, been able to put on clean pyjamas, had a nice warm meal and slept in a nice warm safe bed can be a huge thing for a child that might not have that at home,” Kelly says.

“Becoming a foster carer is an awesome way to help these children by providing them with a safe and stable environment and giving the parents an opportunity to be able to seek help and get back on track,” Kelly says.

“My favourite moment so far was when I picked up a four-month-old child from the hospital who had endured a lot in his few months of life, but when I picked him up for the first time he snuggled in and fell asleep.

“To be trusted by these kids who have every reason to not trust is a fantastic feeling.”

To help us raise awareness about foster care, please share these stories on social media with the hashtag #FosterCareSA

Anyone interested in finding out more about foster care should visit www.fostercare.sa.gov.au or call 1300 2 FOSTER (367 837).