Minister: Foster Parents Are ‘Unsung Heroes’
The Ministry of Youth, Families, & Sports, in conjunction with The Department of Child & Family Services hosted an Appreciation Luncheon for Bermuda’s Foster Parents this weekend at the Hamilton Princess.
Minister Glenn Blakeney attended the event and said, “We acknowledge and recognize that foster parents play a vital role in the community as they take-in children into their homes and nurture them during various types of difficult family challenges.”
“Foster Parents are the unsung heroes in this country. They get called by social workers during the midst of a crisis; they respond with enthusiasm and openness to the children that they are asked to take care of, Minister Blakeney continued.
“It is understood that foster parenting is not always an easy job; it is a special kind of parenting – one that transcends the basics of food and shelter.
“On behalf of the Ministry and the Bermuda Government, we want all of our foster families to know that we appreciate them, we salute them, and we have much gratitude for them.
“We hope that you are inspired and motivated to continue on as without you – many of our children will be at a significant loss.”
In conclusion the Minister said, “The Department continues to manage an average of 95 foster children and this would be absolutely impossible without the dedication and love provided by our valuable foster care families. We are here today to express a hearty Thank You to every one of you.”
A wonderful gift to give is a open heart, love and kindness. I am a Foster Parent and I will continue to help the innocent in their time of need. The Social workers can call me at anytime and I am there for them anytime. They are also GREAT and I thank them for such amazing work they do.
Absolutely wonderful! Many, many blessings to each of you and the children that you care for.
I think its wonderful for the children that have found love and security from caring people. However, I would hardly consider grandparents who watch over their grandchildren to be qualified as “Foster Parents” as some of the people in the picture are. I would think that this would be a normal, natural thing that needs no special recognition. JMO…
There are some children who need special care and with the help of Foster Care program, the children are able to receive it, for without it, medical care especially. May the Lord continue to strengthen grandparents who see it not robbery to look after their grandchildren and other children they receive as their own and the children’s special “Angels” (case-workers).
Congratulations to Ms. Edwards and her team, continue to press on for the Foster Children and their care.
My prayer is that Government will increase their budget next year as there are so many children in need of overseas care(psychological, medical, physiotherapy and the list goes on), many of these services are not available here.
Electioneering at it’s finest