My Forever Family NSW supports, trains and advocates for foster and kinship carers, guardians and
adoptive parents who bring stability to the lives of children and young people in care. There remains a critical shortage of carers in Dubbo, with children as young as two in urgent need of a safe and nurturing home.

My Forever Family NSW is calling on the community to come together and help find safe and nurturing
homes in Dubbo for the following kids so they can remain in the region and stay connected to their friends, school and support networks within the Dubbo area.

Henry* is an affectionate two-year-old who loves books and playing outside. He needs a home with an active carer who can help him grow and learn and read him bedtime stories at night.

Six-year-old Alex* and his seven-year-old sister Heather* need a home with a nurturing carer who can provide lots of hugs and emotional support. Alex loves riding bikes, swimming and kittens. Heather loves writing, drawing and colouring.

Tim* is nine and has a great sense of humour. He enjoys football, swimming and playing with other kids. He needs an active carer who can provide a safe home with structure and routine.

Ricki* is eight and likes to do arts and crafts. She loves swimming, watching movies and books. She needs a carer who can spend lots of one-on-one time with her.

Josie* is ten and her brother Toby* is eleven. They love horse riding and their favourite subject is maths.
Josie is quite extroverted, while Toby is quite introverted, so they would benefit from a home with two carers who could cater to each of their needs.

Eight-year-old Sia* and her six-year-old sister Poppy*, both have smiles that light up a room. They love
animals, riding their scooters and jumping on the trampoline. They need a patient and supportive carer to
help them build trust.

The children in the community come from a range of cultural backgrounds and carers from Aboriginal and culturally diverse homes are welcomed.

Renée Carter, CEO of Adopt Change operating the My Forever Family NSW program, is urging the
community to open their homes and their hearts to these kids in need.

“We are asking people to urgently come together to find homes for children in their local community. We
cannot rest while we have little ones who don’t have a place to call home. Supporting children and teens to stay in their local area in a safe, nurturing home will not only help them thrive, but also allow them to stay connected with their school, friends and other familiarities which they very much need when everything else has changed for them. We need to do everything we can now to ensure a positive childhood and trajectory for our children,” says Ms Carter.

To find and inform potential new carers in Dubbo and Western NSW region, My Forever Family NSW will
hold a free event for locals.

Becoming a Carer for Kids Information Session
Date: Tuesday 9th May
Time: 5:30pm-7pm
Cost: Free
Venue: Club Dubbo – 82 Whylandra St, Dubbo.

While there are different care options available to suit individual and family circumstances, the current urgent need is to find long-term safe and stable homes as well as emergency carers. The Department of
Communities and Justice NSW data for 2020 shows that a staggering 19 children and young people per 1000 are living in out-of-home care in Dubbo and Western NSW region compared with nine in 1000 across the whole of NSW.

“Whilst we understand that being a carer for kids is not a one size fits all, and there are many ways you can help children thrive, it is important to remember that childhood is fleeting, and for children like Henry, Tim, and Poppy, they need someone to step up now. This information session is an opportunity to ask questions about becoming a carer for these kids in an open and relaxed setting, and to chat directly with those who have lived experience as carers, and we implore the community to come along,” concludes Ms Carter.

For more details on the information session please go to https://www.eventsforchange.org.au/infosession

You can find more information about My Forever Family NSW at www.myforeverfamily.org.au/

*Names have been changed for privacy

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