This Foster Family Appreciation Week, the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS) proudly joins a powerful regional campaign to address the urgent need for foster caregivers across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The initiative, There to Care, is a collaborative effort led by a coalition of Children’s Aid Societies and Indigenous Well-Being Agencies, marking the second time our agencies have united to make a collective appeal for more foster families.
🏠 Why Foster Families Matter
While over 90% of children and youth supported by our agencies remain with their families, there are moments when staying with their primary caregivers or kin is no longer possible. In these times, foster caregivers step in to provide safe, nurturing homes and help maintain vital family connections until reunification or a permanency plan is in place.
Foster families are the heart of this support system. They offer stability, compassion, and care to children and youth during some of the most vulnerable periods of their lives. This week, we honour their unwavering commitment and recognize the profound impact they make every day.
🌈 Expanding the Circle of Care
The There to Care campaign seeks to inspire individuals and families to open their hearts and homes to children and youth in need. The call is especially strong for caregivers who can support:
- Sibling groups who deserve to stay together
- Older youth navigating adolescence
- Children and youth with complex needs
- Young people who benefit from cultural and community continuity
We’re also working to challenge outdated perceptions of foster caregiving. Caregivers come from all walks of life—single individuals, married or common-law couples, and families with or without children. What matters most is the ability to provide love, safety, and support.
💬 Join the Movement
As we celebrate Foster Family Appreciation Week, we invite our community to learn more about fostering and consider becoming part of the solution. Whether you’re ready to take the next step or simply want to explore what fostering involves, CCAS is here to guide you.
Together, we can ensure that every child and youth in the GTA has someone There to Care.