Saluting everyday heroes
ACROSS the Territory there is a dedicated team of everyday heroes who are making a difference to the lives of young Territorians.
They are part of the wonderful network of foster and kinship carers, who volunteer to take children in care into their hearts and their homes so they can experience a safe and caring environment in which to grow and develop.
Last year’s Department of Children and Families annual report showed 482 children across the Territory were placed with foster or kinship carers.
The Northern Territory’s carer community includes many outstanding people from all walks of life.
Dedicated couples and individuals include Kristy Bazevski, who was the Foster and Kinship Carer Excellence Award recipient for Nhulunbuy in 2014 and 2015.
Kristy says she and her family gain many positives from being foster carers including “the excitement of seeing what a child can achieve when they are supported in a loving and caring home environment”.
In Alice Springs, Christine and Jonathan Pilbrow have been highly valued foster carers for more than 11 years and have helped to transform the lives of many children in their care.
They both enjoy the opportunity that being carers gives them, “to support children to grow and develop in order to reach their life potential, as well as support them to stay connected with their families and culture”.
More foster and kinship carers are needed to support children in care across the Northern Territory.
If you want to know more about becoming a foster or kinship carer go to www.carercommunity.nt.gov.au or call 1800 814 599.