Homes are asked to open up their hearts to foster

By Tania Martin
HILLS people have been called on to open their hearts and homes to foster needy children.
Wesley Youth Services urgently needs foster carers, especially in the Dandenong Ranges region.
Volunteer carers are needed to care for young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who need loving and supportive homes.
Caring, honest and reliable people are desperately needed to provide various levels of accommodation from temporary to permanent placements.
Eastern region manager Michael O’Kelly said the number of adolescents without a home had increased dramatically.
He said last year more than 4500 Victorian children and young people were placed in out of home care.
“Through no fault of their own, many teenagers are victims of abuse, neglect and family breakdown,” Mr O’Kelly said.
“But many are denied the chance to live in safe and supportive homes due to the shortage of foster carers.”
Wesley Youth Services is now calling for foster carers to take part in its Adolescent Community Placement (ACP) program.
The program offers a safe place for youths to live who have experienced family difficulties such as abuse or violence.
It is designed to meet different accommodation needs from emergency overnight stays to long-term placements.
Volunteers from local communities are the heart of the program and can be anyone from a single parent or individual, couples or retired people.
Mr O’Kelly said foster carers are committed to the care of young people in their community and to helping young people achieve their goals.
Wesley Youth Services provides training and ongoing support to all its carers.
Anyone interested in opening up their homes to needy hills children should call 9871 5333 to find out how to become a carer.