BCYF (Barwon Child Youth & Family) has launched its annual foster care awareness campaign and Foster A Future 2021 Appeal.
The appeal, which coincides with Foster Care Week, aims to raise much-needed funds to support vulnerable children and young people in need of foster care, in the Geelong region
The number of Victorian children in out-of-home care (foster care) is projected to grow to 25,000 by 2025-26. Many of these children and young people live in Geelong, with no stable or safe home.
Since the inaugural appeal in 2018, Foster A Future has raised over $70,000 to support families, children and young people in the Geelong region requiring foster care.
Meanwhile, BCYF has also delivered targeted Foster Carer recruitment campaigns, designed to meet the increasing number of children and young people requiring foster care. These campaigns have resulted in a 46 per cent increase in enquires from families and individuals interested in becoming Foster Carers.
Bisinella joins BCYF as a partner of the 2021 Appeal, together with Integral Insurance and the APCO Foundation.
Bisinella has supported BCYF over the past five years through various programs, including headspace Geelong.
“Bisinella has a long history of supporting the communities in which we operate,” Richard Bisinella said.
“We are very happy to support the 2021 Foster A Future Appeal, and to make a difference to children in the Geelong region that are in need of a safe and stable home. As a family business we feel a strong connection to our local community, and we see this partnership as a strong alignment of both Bisinella’s and BCYF’s values.”
Julia Ladgrove, BCYF’s Manager, Fundraising, said members of the public could support children and young people in need of safe and supportive homes by donating to the Foster A Future 2021 Appeal. The appeal will run for the entire year and aims to raise $100,000.
“Not everybody can commit to being a foster carer, but by making a small donation to the BCYF Foster A Future Appeal, you are supporting us to provide more families, that can, give the gift of a home for a child or young person needing care in our community,” Ms Ladgrove said.
To donate to the Foster A Future 2021 Appeal or for more information about becoming a foster carer go to www.bcyf.org.au or contact 5222 6911.