North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services widely known as NEOFACS is excited to officially launch the first Snowman Campaign, a unique winter event aimed at raising awareness about the number of children who receive Foster Care and Volunteer services.
Almost 300 children benefit from the Foster Care and Volunteer programs throughout a service area which covers a geographic area of 154,550 square kilometers (almost three times as large as Nova Scotia.)
Volunteer Services recruit’s community members to assist the agency in transporting children to and from school, medical appointments, visits and extracurricular activities. Our volunteers are our connection between the agency, community and families. They ensure our children are able to partake in daily activities. In addition volunteers assist NEOFACS workers and relive some pressure. Close to 200,000 kilometers were driven in 2012 alone, from close to 75 volunteers.
“If it were not for our volunteer drivers some of our children in care would not be able to attend and participate in after school sport programs and art and culture lessons. We are experiencing a shortage with foster homes and our volunteers make it possible for foster parents to stay home with young children and attend to their needs.” Says Liane Guenette, Volunteer Services Coordinator.
Currently we have 74 foster care homes that go above and beyond on a daily basis to provide love, support and structure to the children in care of NEOFACS. We could like to see that number increase 10% by the end of 2014.
“Our foster care families open their homes and hearts to our community children during a time in their life where love and support is most needed. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of our foster families, and hope this campaign wills raise awareness that more homes are needed in all of our communities.” Says Lindsy St. Jacques, Foster Care Worker.
To RSVP or if you would like more information, please contact:
Richard Lambert Belanger
Executive Director, NEOFACS
705-360-7100
Media Contact:
Brooke Ballantyne,
Communications Coordinator, NEOFACS
Brooke.ballantyne@neofacs.org
705-360-7100 ext 5217
705-365-0302 cell
Foster Care Contact:
Olivier Blanchet
Resource Worker / Travailleur- Resource
New Liskeard Campus/ Bureau de New Liskeard
705-647-1200 Ext. 4647
olivier.blanchet@neofacs.org
Anna Williams
District Resource Worker
New Liskeard Campus
1 866 229 5437 ext 4656
anna.williams@neofacs.org
Volunteer Services Contact:
Liane Guenette
Volunteer Coordinator / Coordonatrice des bénévoles
Campus /Bureau de Timmins
705-360-2100 Ext./Poste 5513
Heidi Joron
Volunteer Coordinator / Coordonnatrice des bénévoles
Timmins Campus / Bureau de Timmins
705-360-7100 poste/extension 5518
heidi.joron@neofacs.org