The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) has launched an inspiring campaign, There to Care, to raise awareness of the critical need for Foster Caregivers across Ontario. This campaign serves as a provincial call to action, aiming to motivate individuals from all walks of life to learn about the positive impact they can have as Foster Caregivers on the lives of children, youth and families in their communities—and their own lives as well.
At the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), we proudly join this campaign, echoing the need for Foster Caregivers who can reflect and nurture the diverse identities and needs of children and youth in care. We encourage Foster Caregiver applicants from all identities, including race, culture, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Additionally, we are particularly seeking caregivers who can support sibling groups, youth and teens, and children and youth with complex needs.
While 9 out of 10 of the children and youth we work with are at home, when they need a place of safety outside of their family or extended community, we turn to Foster Caregivers who can provide them with a supportive environment during a difficult time. As Solomon Owoo, Interim CEO of OACAS, emphasizes, “[Foster caregiving] is also about facilitating connections and reunification with families and communities, and ensuring children and youth stay connected to their culture and identity. It’s about providing real, tangible support to your community.”
While we actively participate in the “There to Care” campaign, our recruitment and community engagement efforts continue throughout the year. This Fall, we plan to launch a complementary campaign focused specifically on the Greater Toronto Area, further reinforcing our commitment to finding Foster Caregivers who can support children and youth in staying connected to their local communities, culture and families.
We encourage all individuals interested in foster caregiving to learn more about the There to Care campaign here and to review more about becoming a Foster Caregiver through CAST here.
