"The feeling that you’ve made a difference in the life of a kid, who just needed someone to be there for them, is incredible" – Donna, Foster Parent

“It keeps us focused on what is important in life.” – Mary, Foster Parent

“Most of us will never know the effect we have on people’s lives and we just go about our lives thinking we don’t make that much of a difference…but when you get the chance to physically see the effect that you’re having in a child’s life or the life of a family in turmoil and watch them put their lives back together, then you know you’ve affected them and in a powerful way…” – Annette, Foster Parent

“I’ve always wanted children in my life.  It’s a gift, it’s a privilege, and it’s a real eye-opener to appreciate the life you had as a child and realize not everbody is so lucky.” - Andrea, Foster Parent

“The important thing was that there was consistency in his life, and someone to listen to him when it was all too much.” – Eva, Foster Parent

“You give your heart completely.  But you just keep in mind you’ve done what you need to do for the child, and you keep on going.”  - Annette, Foster Parent

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Hope - Foster Family Profile

“When’s dinner?” It’s a standard question in any household, but what makes this question disturbing is that the six-year-old girl, Keely*, who is asking has only just finished lunch.
“I haven’t had a child come into our home who hasn’t had food issues,” says foster mom, Traci.  She and her husband Chris have been opening their home—and their hearts—to children at risk in this community for four years.

“The kids are surprised when they realize that there are seconds, or that they do like vegetables, or that, if they finish them, there is dessert!  Sadly, at their young age they’ve had to worry about things like when the next meal will come.”  She tells me about Keely who, even after being in care for a year, continues to struggle with these issues, often saving lunches ‘just in case’. 

Traci states that she thought about fostering for a long time—and spoke to her family about her wishes because she knew that fostering would be a family affair—before she made the call.  She wasn’t surprised when her husband and three children, Dylan (9), Madeleine (12), and Tyler (20-and now off at College), jumped at the opportunity to share their home and their toys with a child in need. 

“We foster as a family, it couldn’t work any other way,” she says.  “The girls tend to gravitate towards my daughter, Madeleine, who hopes to be a lawyer or paediatrician some day.  They open up to her. This kind of one-on-one interacting simply isn’t available in a group home setting.  It’s a chance to see how a healthy, loving family functions.”

“I am asked questions by people who consider fostering, like: “Why do you foster? Or, isn't it hard?”  But the answer is always the same…’sometimes’, but there are so many wonderful moments that occur that motivate you to continue.  Moments that fill you with pride and make your heart swell with love and compassion for the families and the children we are helping.”
Traci confesses that every time a child in her care has a success or achieves a benchmark, no matter how small, they are as excited about it as the child is! 

“Foster kids face so many obstacles.  Many are behind in school and socially they run the risk of being labelled.  They carry personal feelings of guilt, anger, or rejection.  Most times they’ve not only lost their families, but their belongings, clothes, toys, friends, classmates, and school.  Now, during a time of turmoil, they are being asked to fit into a new home, new school, and new community.  With such uncertainty about their future, should they even bother to make friends or try in school?  As a foster family, our job is to remove these obstacles.  To make these daunting tasks a little easier.” 

An excellent example of how a little help at the right time can make a difference is eight-year-old, Cameron.  He entered care after being abandoned while his mother “Cameron was on an Education Plan at school when he arrived.  Within three weeks… (and with a full belly!)...Cameron’s teacher contacted me to say the dramatic improvement in his attention span. The marks he started to receive for his assignments were increasing and so was his confidence!”

Traci and her family applauded every success, and in no time the grade three student who had arrived without any number sense, had become the household banker!  Every pile of change left about the house became fair game for his additions practice.  And last year, Cameron brought home his first A in business. 

“Who knows where this love of numbers will take him?” she says, the pride colouring her voice.  “But for now, it is one more success he can add to his collection!”

When three-year-old Zoe arrived at on their doorstep—after her mother left her and her sister Keely in a car during the winter to go to the bar— she was functioning at less than 7% verbally.  Her words involved only the first syllable such as wa for water or Ma for Madeleine.  In under a year, little Zoe has become a little chatterbox!  She loves picture books and the whole family gets involved with her reading activities. Today she has more words then most toddlers. 

“Many more,” says Traci with a laugh.  “Zoe will probably never know that her love of reading started during her time with us. But we know, and the memory is ours to cherish!” 

Traci agrees that not all people can become a foster parent, but counsels that there are so many other ways to help kids.  “Zoe, Keely, and Cameron have all been to camp because donors in the community made gifts to the Camp Fund.  Every gift they gave, gave the kids experiences that they will treasure for a life time.”  The kids have also had swimming lessons provided through the FCS Foundation. 

“My only wish is that there was more funding available for counselling to help these kids get past the trauma; a neutral third-party to share their concerns, confusions, and worries.  Things they won’t share with me or their workers for fear we will leave them too.  The grief counselling available for school children, who have lost a classmate, simply isn’t available for these children who have lost everything. It’s a shame.” 

There are 500 Waterloo Region children residing in the foster care system as we speak. They need a home, but more importantly they need a champion like Traci and her family.

“There are problems in our community that seem insurmountable, but helping one child learn to read or become excited about school is easy and it can change the course of a life.  Honestly, what’s the alternative?  If this community stands aside and does nothing, these kids will age out of the system no better than when they entered.  Then what would their futures hold?  Returning to another system through jail, addictions facilities, or even to FCS with their own children?  That’s not the answer.”

When asked what she would say to someone considering fostering, Traci stated, “Pick up the phone and call! You can break the cycle— even if it’s only just one child.”