Help families in need by being part of a community that cares
October 11, 2023 (TIMMINS, ON) — On Saturday, October 14, 2023, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) and the Foster Families Association Ontario North-East (FFAONE) are hosting their annual Foster Family Appreciation Week Food Drive and BBQ Fundraiser to help ensure families in need do not go hungry this fall.
The event will take place at Johnson's Your Independent Grocer on Algonquin Boulevard in Timmins from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Community members are encouraged to donate non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items in hopes of filling the shelves at the Timmins Food Bank. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and beverages will also be available for purchase by donation.
Due to the rising cost of living, many families are struggling to cover monthly expenses, including putting food on the table. According to Statistics Canada, 1 in 7 Canadians are food insecure.
“We understand that many families are facing challenges, and we believe that worrying about where their next meal will come from should not be one of them. That's why we’re proud to work with the Timmins Food Bank to support families in need,” said Mike Emond, President of the FFAONE. “We believe that it takes a community to care for children, and we want families to know that they are not alone and help is available.”
The food drive marks the beginning of Foster Family Appreciation Week celebrations, which takes place the third full week of October every year. The week recognizes and celebrates the critical role that foster families play in the lives of children, youth, and families in our community.
Throughout October, Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario also raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families through the provincial Dress Purple Day campaign. This year, the day of action takes place on Friday, October 27, 2023.
“Every October, we celebrate our foster caregivers, and we raise awareness that Children’s Aid Societies are community organizations that are part of the circle of care that supports the well-being of children, youth, and families,” said Cléo Charlebois, Executive Director of NEOFACS. “We focus on bringing awareness to the early help and supportive services available to families facing challenges and the prevention and early intervention work we do to support families and keep children and youth at home.”
Child welfare research and data indicate that unemployment, lack of housing, and food insecurity play an important role in family crises that lead to Children’s Aid Society involvement. These findings show that effective prevention starts with ensuring adequate social supports are in place so families can look after their children.
NEOFACS works hard, in partnership with families, to keep children and youth at home. When living with their primary caregiver is not possible, the agency first looks to family and community for placement options. Kinship placements can involve biologically related kin, members of cultural communities, or individuals with other social, emotional, or community connections, such as teachers, coaches, or neighbours.
“We try our best to find placements for children and youth that best match their identity, and within the community they are from since children and youth do better when they are placed in homes that are connected to their family, community, and identity,” said Christine Miller, Program Supervisor at NEOFACS. “When kin placements are unavailable, foster families provide children and youth with a safe family setting during a difficult time.”
Foster caregivers are a key part of the team that supports children and youth in the child welfare system, including by facilitating pathways to lifelong connections with family and community for the young people in their homes.
If you are interested in becoming a foster caregiver, NEOFACS is currently accepting applications throughout the region. To learn more, call 705-360-7100 ext. 5222, email fostering@neofacs.org or visit https://www.neofacs.org/foster.
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About NEOFACS:
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is an integrated agency, providing services to children, youth and families in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming. Our client-responsive programs and services are innovative, evidence-based, and designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve. Our Agency provides a number of programs and services in the areas of Child Welfare, Child and Youth Mental Health, Youth Justice, and Prevention programs along with a number of other programs and services. For more information, please visit https://www.neofacs.org.
For more information, please contact:
Mélanie Watson, Communications Coordinator
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services
705-360-2121
melanie.watson@neofacs.org
