How a Foster Family Agency Changes Lives for the Better: A Youth Family Foster Caregiver’s Story
Have you ever considered working with a foster family agency to help youth in need? For young people navigating challenging life experiences, having a strong support system can make a difference in assisting them to move on from the past, prosper in the present and look toward a promising future.
Foster Family Agencies Connect Youth With Nurturing Homes
The Role of a Youth Foster Family Caregiver
In many cases, positive change starts with having a safe and nurturing family home to rely on for a constant source of security and encouragement. Many foster family caregivers discover the profound joy that comes from welcoming youth into their lives.
Tina Shea is one such caregiver who felt the call to embark on this life-altering journey after her children had grown up. “I had always cared for others in some form or another; running a daycare when my own kids were young, and then caring for seniors for the past ten years as a personal support worker,” Tina says. After researching foster family agencies and learning about PLEA and the opportunity to support youth in need, she offered herself as a foster caregiver to help enable young people to grow and thrive.
“I was ready for a change in my career. I wanted to make a difference, to be a mentor and role model, to be the person we all wish had walked into our lives when things were tough.”
As a foster family caregiver, Tina aims to be the one to plant seeds of hope in the minds and hearts of those in her care, teach them new ways to live and enjoy life and offer a safe environment in which they can laugh and have fun.
“I wanted to set an example for them, set a fire in their soul and watch it grow,” Tina adds. “I wanted to be there as a friend – someone who understands what they are going through, without judgment.”
An Opportunity to Make an Impact
There are few things more rewarding than watching a youth in need blossom as a result of a safe, nurturing home. As her journey as a foster family caregiver progressed, Tina marvelled at the profound impact the youth made on her life. “They work with you, they listen and understand,” Tina says.
“And most of all they make you feel appreciated. It is a team effort to help these youth reach their potential; to grow wings to fly. Watching them learn new skills and embrace new experiences has been incredible. Seeing them share my words of wisdom, playing and laughing like children again and building trust and safety has been immensely rewarding.”
The Importance of a Supportive Foster Family Agency
Ongoing support is a key component for those considering the opportunity to welcome young people into their homes and families as foster caregivers. With over four decades of experience, PLEA Community Services is a leading foster family agency that has built positive support networks for youth in need, enhancing the lives of both the young people we serve and the families who open their hearts and homes to them.
Even though Tina came from a background of caregiving as a vocation, she welcomed the preparation PLEA provided her, and others in the program, to help ensure the best possible environment for those in her foster care.
“PLEA is like a cocoon. We are the protective layer; the supporting layer to this transformation process,” she says. “PLEA makes you feel like you are part of a team; an important team! From my very first day, it always felt like someone was right there with me – from understanding what to expect from the youth and the challenges they may face, to preparing my home for their arrival.”
The comprehensive training PLEA provides covers essential skills for foster family caregivers, and family caregivers work very closely with an assigned services coordinator who is there for day-to-day support. This is one of the many advantages of becoming a foster caregiver with an experienced foster family agency like PLEA.
Becoming a Foster Family Caregiver
Tina offers heartfelt advice for those considering becoming a foster family caregiver:
“Recognize the responsibilities of this role. You become a vital part of the journey for these young people. Reflect on why you wish to pursue this path; your motivations will guide you on this transformative journey. Connect with someone who is already a caregiver or speak with someone from the PLEA team,” she suggests. “These young people may come with unique and difficult challenges that require understanding and compassion.”
PLEA is an accredited charitable community services organization initially focused on diverting youth from the justice system. It has since evolved into a comprehensive social services provider, spanning child welfare, addictions, health, justice, and community living, impacting tens of thousands of lives annually.
With more than 230 employees, 160 family and foster caregivers, 180 respite workers, and 190 volunteers, PLEA envisions a world where everyone has a chance for a good life, emphasizing the value of each individual. To learn more about how you can become a loving foster family for youth in need, call 236-333-2682 or visit www.giveakidahome.ca.
