Two local not-for-profit foster care agencies, CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning and Allambi Care, have banded together to unbrand together in a new foster care campaign rolling out across the Hunter region.
The unbranded campaign aims to raise awareness about the critical shortage of carers in the region and urges the community to contact a foster care agency – any foster care agency – to provide a home for a child in need.
CatholicCare Executive Manager, Lauren Fisher said the out-of-the-box idea has been years in the making and is driven by the fundamental goal to support vulnerable children who are in the foster care system.
“The key takeaway we want to convey is it doesn’t matter which agency people call, as long as they call one of us,” Lauren said.
“This isn’t about recognition or prominence in the space; it’s about putting our children first by asking our region to rise up and open their hearts and homes to children in statutory out of home care.”
The campaign launched this morning at the Department of Communities and Justice Newcastle regional foster care agency meeting.
Allambi Care Director Partnerships Engagement and Innovation, Steve Graham said the dire need for foster carers is an industry-wide problem and this campaign aims to put business aside to focus on the need.
“The Newcastle and Hunter is at crisis point and I think all agencies would be ecstatic to see an influx of foster carers, regardless of the avenue that gets people there,” Steve said.
“We know when we work together and harness community spirit and enthusiasm, we can achieve great things. The time is now to do that for our children.”
Lauren said the campaign was made possible thanks to CatholicCare and Allambi being named beneficiaries of funds raised at the Newcastle City Council Annual Lord Mayor’s Breakfast and Lake Macquarie Council’s Annual Mayor’s Prayer evening.
“We thank the City of Newcastle former Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Lake Macquarie former Mayor Kay Fraser for their instrumental role in getting the campaign off the ground, as well as the continued support from both Council’s in this space,” Lauren added.
“We also need to thank the generosity of the local community in making donations towards our campaign, we couldn’t have this without you.
“It’s now over to our colleagues within the sector, our communities, and us individually to call on our grassroots networks to get the message out there and help change a child’s life.”
For more information on how to get involved or to donate visit: www.fostercarenewcastle.org.au
IMAGE | Lauren Fisher and Steve Graham
