The Need for Foster Carers From All Backgrounds

MacKillop Family Services wants all sorts of different people to do the same thing – be there for vulnerable children.

Key points:

“A lot of children who are in, or are coming into, foster care come from different cultural backgrounds,” said Christina D’Acunto is NSW Carer Recruitment and Development Co-ordinator with MacKillop Family Services.

“Maintaining a child in their culture is a massive part of what we do.

“In order to do that, having carers from those cultural backgrounds is priceless.”

“A lot of children who are in, or are coming into, foster care come from different cultural backgrounds.”

The Harmony Week 2025 theme is “Everyone Belongs“, Christina told Hope Mornings that one area of focus for MacKillop is connecting with carers from diverse backgrounds.

On Saturday March 22, MacKillop Family Services will host a Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings Blacktown.

Along with raising money to support foster carers, this is a tasty opportunity to know more about being a foster carer.

The Harmony Week 2025 theme is “Everyone Belongs”.

The MacKillop Sausage Sizzle is happening in Western Sydney because, as Christina told Hope Mornings, about 44 per cent of people living in the region have come to Australia from another country.

However, Christina stressed that there are more than 500 children living in hotels across Greater Sydney due to a shortage of foster-care families.

“We are calling out to anyone who is interested… we do have so many children living in less-than-ideal arrangements.”

Such a need demands a widespread, swift response.

“There are so many children in care from diverse backgrounds, but we are calling out to anyone who is interested or has questions around foster care… because we do have so many children living in less-than-ideal arrangements,” Christina said.

Learn more at mackillop.org.au

Feature image: Photos by CanvaPro