FOR years, South East resident Jane* had considered foster caring but it only took her moments to know she had made the right decision.
“I did not come into this looking for it to be rewarding, because that’s a bit of a danger,” she said.
“I had no idea how hard it would be, but no idea how amazing it would be.
“I often say along with having my own kids, this has been equally the best and hardest things I have done.
“What we do is a privilege.”
Jane decided to take the first step towards being a foster carer last year after being driven by friends’ experience of caring, as well as her faith.
With a stable home, job and two older children, Jane felt providing short and long term care to school age children would be a great option for her.
“I have older kids who are pretty good members of society and my thought was I know I can raise kids and even though I am completely far from perfect, I can provide a safe and loving environment,” she said.
“I believe it is my responsibility as a community member to try and make a difference where I can.
“Ultimately, it is about seeing a need we can meet, or at least try to.”
She contacted ac.care, submitted an application, undertook assessment and participated in foster carer training before being approved in December.
Shortly after, Jane was notified she would become the foster mother of a child and began preparing for embracing a new addition to her family.
Nothing could prepare her for the heart-swelling moments of joy.
“I have been a mum for more than 20 years and I have seen kids with challenging behaviours and childhood trauma,” she said.
“There are kids that have been through things we could not even imagine, things that could break us as adults.
“It is hard, but the times when you see a smile or a laugh make it worth it.
“It is amazing to see progress and to be able to give them a hug and tell them you love them.”
Jane said the children who have joined her family are met with an incredible amount of love and dedication.
“For my children, it has definitely changed them and they have learnt so much,” she said.
“The kids get to be part of not just our little family, but our extended family and the wider community.”
Jane and her children are excited to have recently expanded their family and hope to provide their new family with a strong sense of love and stability.
“It is said God uses our kids to grow us as people and transform us and clearly, the first round of kids was not enough, so he sent me round two,” she said.
“If I had not said ‘yes’ to this, there would have been so much I missed out on in life.”
*Name has been changed
