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Holding Hands

WHAT YOU CAN DO

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Not everyone is called to Foster or Adopt...

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But we can each do something!

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One of the great misconceptions is that the only way to care for vulnerable children is to adopt.

 

But... you don't have to take children into your home to make a HUGE difference in the life of a child.

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The key ingredient needed to make a HUGE difference...

More than your suitability...

Is your availability!

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Are you willing to engage?

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The sections below give examples of some of the different ways in which average, every day people can make a big impact.

Printable Gift Certificates

Grab some card stock, hook up your printer and print out a gift certificate offering a personal connection and practical support for a family that you know. This meaningful gift won't cost you more than the paper, ink and gas to deliver it, but we guarantee that it will make a real difference in someone's life.

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Click on a design and then follow the PDF file link under the title in the pop up menu to access the printable PDF template.

Give

  • Support existing organizations serving children and families

    • Volunteer with kids​

    • Volunteer professional skills

    • Donate finances

    • Donate needed items

    • Fundraise

    • Promote/raise awareness

Be a Supporting Friend

  • Know the family

    • Understand and become more comfortable with the unique dynamics and needs​

    • Learn about childhood trauma

    • Gain trauma-informed parenting skills

  • Driving kids:

    • ​To school, work, camp, church, youth group, appointments

    • Rides for biological kids, foster kids, adopted kids​

  • Mentoring:

    • Through an official organization​

    • Informal mentoring

    • Educational tutoring

  • Babysitting

    • Go out for ice cream​

    • Go to a movie

    • Go on a bike ride

    • Take kids to the park

    • Watch kids in their home

  • Be a supporting friend:

    • Check in calls,

    • ​Bring coffee/meals
    • Help with home chores: laundry, dishes, yard work 

    • Help with car maintenance

    • Assist with school supplies

    • Pick up groceries, prescriptions etc.​

    • Meet the family, learn the needs, offer your help​

    • Invite/include the family to social events

    • Come to birthday parties and special events

  • Be a 5 Families support to an adoptive, foster, or kinship family (or a bio family struggling to stay together)

Foster Parenting

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  • Care for children in your home on a temporary basis until the provincial government determines their permanency plan (returning to family, extended family or adoption)

    • Required:

      • Home study​

      • Criminal Record Check

      • Training

      • Working with provincial social workers

    • Financial reimbursement

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Respite
(for a specific family)

  • Be a relief home that can care for foster children that you know for a short time when foster parents are unable to

    • Required:

      • Criminal record check

      • Approval of your home

      • Sign documents of agreement

    • Paid compensation from government

Respite 
(for foster families in your area)

  • Be a relief home available to any foster children in your area for a short time when foster parents are unable to

    • Required:

      • Become a full foster parent

      • Choose to open your home only for respite

    • Paid compensation from government

Safe Families
(be part of the support network for families without one)

  • Safe families is operating in many regions across Canada (with more being added all the time).

  • Churches in a community choose to be the extended family and support network for families in short-term crisis who don't have a support system.

  • The Safe Families system is organized, structured and effectively administered in local chapters. The Safe Families program includes training and networking so that individuals are equipped and supported to effectively share the Father's love to families in need.

  • Within churches, individuals can choose to be:

    • Host families who welcome children into their homes who need a safe place to go.​

    • Family coaches who are skilled volunteers who help families in crisis reach their goals and provide support to Host Families and Family Friends who are aiding Families in Crisis.

    • Resource friends who help provide items of needs for a child/family in Safe Family's care. 

    • Family friends who encourage and strengthen families in crisis by performing small tasks. 

    • PLUS mentors provide mentorship to a youth aging out of foster care system. They connect the youth to needed relationships and resources, while helping them discover and achieve their goals and dreams.

    • Ministry Leads who are based in a local church and are involved in recruiting and supporting volunteers, promoting Safe Families Canada within their church community and acting as a liaison with Safe Families Canada staff.

  • All Safe Families roles are voluntary. Family participation is voluntary. Parents never lose custody of their children. Safe Families is all about working with families in crisis to stay together and avoid unnecessary entrance into the child welfare system.​

Adoption

  • The process:

    • Once the parental rights of a child have been terminated

    • First search is for existing family members and close friends, broaden to Foster parents etc.

    • Matched from a list of waiting homes

    • Placement with a family

    • Follow-up visits during the placement period

    • Adoption finalized

    • Post-adoption assistance available for adoptions of Canada's waiting children

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