News
Have You Ever Thought About Fostering?
“Fostering brings caring and compassionate people and the children who need them together,” said Ersilia DiNardo, Executive Director of CCAS. “Many foster parents continue to foster for years and can tell of the child who impacted their lives and the lives of their children. Fostering is a rewarding experience, a chance to make a difference to one child at a time. We need more extraordinary people to consider becoming foster parents, to be a safe harbour to children in need for a short time or the family that they desperately need for a long time.”
Currently, the Catholic Children's Aid Society of Hamilton is providing foster care for approximately 360 children in 120 foster homes.
Dorothy is a foster child with CCAS who has lived with her foster family for the past 14 years.
“I never knew the meaning of a loving family until Rose and Louie showed me that it consists of unconditional love, truth, respect, and true happiness. My adoring foster sisters Christine and Lisa treated me so good over the years and made me realize I don't have to live in fear, sadness, pain, and abandonment. Christine and Lisa always included me in going to the movies and shopping. I love Christine and Lisa as sisters and role models.
My foster family is a miracle from God above. If it wasn't for their embracing hearts, kind and caring love towards lost and suffering children I wouldn't have come this far in life. I'd be lost, forgotten and likely homeless on the streets. It is because of their support that I am who I've become today which is a good-hearted, strong-headed woman who has accomplished and achieved so many things. It is because of Rose and Louie that my future will be bright, exciting, and successful. My experience is foster care for 14 years has changed my life forever for the better."
Foster parents work with CCAS as part of a team to develop a plan to care for each child and youth, which could include reunification with their family, adoption or long-term foster care. They work closely with CCAS to provide temporary care to children and youth for a few days, a week, several months or possibly years. The Catholic Children's Aid Society of Hamilton supports foster families through assessment, training and education, ongoing assistance as well as financial supports for the child’s care, food and clothing.
Even with 120 families fostering for CCAS in Hamilton, more foster families are needed who can provide safe, loving, secure homes to the vulnerable children and youth who come into care. CCAS is currently experiencing a severe shortage of foster homes for newborns to age two and for male adolescents.
Interested foster families can contact 905-525-CARE (2273).