Supporter Autumn 2021
First festive season as a foster family The festive season was filled with even more joy for new foster parents Amy and
Bianca as they spent their first Christmas as a family of three. After becoming AnglicareSA foster carers in 2020, the couple welcomed a boy, who recently turned one, into their home. “It’s brought our extended family closer. It’s even brought me closer to my mum, who was really excited,” Bianca said. “It’s fun watching him play with our nieces and nephews and the bond that he’s forming with them. “They’re mostly young girls so they’re all mothering him – they all want to help.” Amy and Bianca’s desire to foster a child had been on their minds for a long time. They were aware that many local children needed homes and families to care for them, but said they were still amazed with what they learned throughout their foster care training. “It made us more driven and passionate about helping,” Amy said.
“We realised throughout the process how much we wanted to do it, especially when you hear the stats about children without a home in South Australia.” The couple, who have already formed a strong bond with their foster son, said that at the moment, it’s the small milestones they cherish the most. “It’s wonderful watching him grow and develop – everything from his little teeth coming through to him trying to walk,” Bianca said.
If you are considering becoming a foster carer like Amy and Bianca, we would love to hear from you. For more information call (08) 8131 3456 “He said ‘mum’ for the first time two or three days ago. We can’t even walk out of the room without him looking for us. “We just want to support him the best we can in his life.”
Foster mum honoured for amazing contribution AnglicareSA foster carer Dawn Jennings was recognised with the Inspiring South Australian Women’s Award for 2021 for her commitment to children in the community.
“Most mothers look back on the first few months and remember how tiring they were – Dawn did the first three months 91 times,” said Pam in the nomination. “Women like Dawn are often overlooked. We need, as a society, to recognise them.” Dawn is a wonderful example of the lasting and remarkable difference someone can make in the lives of our most vulnerable children.
From the early 1980s to 2020, Dawn cared for more than 90 children, with some as young as two days old. Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink presented the award to Dawn on January 18 as part of the SA Australia Day Awards 2021 ceremony at Government House. She was nominated for the award by her friend Pam, who described the devoted carer as a quiet achiever.
8
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker