Fostering Hope co-founder Lorraine Lekias, foster carer and Adopt Change representative Elisha Rose and Fostering Hope co-founder Linzi Mooney at the morning tea for carers.
Camera IconFostering Hope co-founder Lorraine Lekias, foster carer and Adopt Change representative Elisha Rose and Fostering Hope co-founder Linzi Mooney at the morning tea for carers. Credit: Supplied/David Baylis

Fostering Hope celebrates carers as coronavirus pandemic affects donations

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

FOSTERING Hope and Adopt Change hosted a morning tea with foster carers to mark WA Foster Carers Week.

The March 16 tea was at Fostering Hope’s Wangara shop, with 43 people attending, including carer Elisha Rose who has been a carer for five years, with long-term guardianship of two boys.

“It’s very rewarding but it’s also the most difficult thing I’ve done,” she said.

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“All kids that come into care have suffered some sort of trauma.”

Ms Rose said seeing the children thrive, grow and learn was rewarding, as was knowing their care made a difference in those children’s lives.

“When you know they are going to be in care until they become an adult, offering them a stable home is an incredible opportunity,” she said.

Fostering Hope collects and distributes donations such as clothes, toys and essential items needed for children in care.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, co-founder Lorraine Lekias announced on Monday afternoon the charity would no longer accept donations apart from nappies, wipes and formula, which were urgently needed for babies entering care.

Founded in 2016, Fostering Hope moved to its current premises at 32 Buckingham Drive, Wangara in mid-2019, and is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

Ms Rose said the group offered an invaluable service to carers, helping them to get items for children that they might not otherwise be able to get.

She said there was also intangible value in always having someone to talk too at the community hub, or attending its monthly information sessions.

Join the Fostering Hope Australia Facebook group for more information.

Fostering Hope co-founders Linzi Mooney and Lorraine Lekias, with guests at the morning tea. David Baylis
Camera IconFostering Hope co-founders Linzi Mooney and Lorraine Lekias, with guests at the morning tea. David Baylis Credit: Supplied/David Baylis