Approximately 63,000 children and youth across Canada are living in permanent government care with foster families, extended family, or in institutional settings. An estimated 235,000 children and youth across the country are considered at risk of entering care due to unstable family situations. Over 30,000 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted.
Children are not the only ones affected by foster care
Children often enter foster care with only the clothes on their back. Many sit in offices for hours while caseworkers search for a willing foster home.
As youth age out of the foster care system, many do so without the love or guidance of family and remain at risk.
Foster and kinship families face many challenges caring for children who've experienced trauma. Many end up feeling physically and emotionally unprepared.
Foster care workers carry heavy case loads that require complicated decisions, leading to high levels of burnout which affects children in care.
We believe collaboration between like-minded ministries is the best way to reach more vulnerable children. Learn more about some of the ministries and foster care leaders we recommend to care for vulnerable children and engage the Church throughout Canada.
With over 300,000 children and youth in Canada living in vulnerable families and at risk of abuse and neglect, Safe Families Canada is on a mission to transform families and ensure that no family will face a crisis alone. Volunteers, known as the Circle of Support, are motivated to practice biblical hospitality, disruptive generosity and compassion fuelled by mercy. Host Families, Family Friends, Family Coaches and Resource Friends support families in crisis while they get back on their feet.
CareImpact (formerly known as Forever Families of Canada until 2021) believes that God desires the Church across Canada to effectively journey with children and families in hard places. Their vision is to build capacity for Regional Networks from coast-to-coast in Canada to practically connect and equip the whole Church to care well for the most vulnerable.
A Child's Song was developed to meet the needs of families joined together through foster care, adoption and all forms of permanency. They are committed to helping families acquire the tools they need to become therapeutic parents and offer a wide range of services uniquely designed for families with children impacted by trauma associated with attachment losses.
Canadian Foster Family Association
Christian Alliance for Orphans
NARA Family Homes
Aunties House
