By NICOLE WILLIAMS
EMMA Firth is a single woman with a full time job – who also opens her home to children in need.
“It shows that you don’t need to fit a certain criteria to be a foster carer,” she said.
The Pakenham carer has shared her experience to encourage others to volunteer during Victorian Foster Carers Week.
She became a carer with Wesley Mission in 2005, and has since housed more than 70 kids – from overnight stays to longer term.
“I work in the youth sector and have seen children and young people have to move away from their friends, school and family or even be placed in residential care because there are not enough foster carers.
It is traumatic enough for children to be in out-of-home care,” Ms Firth said.
“I have wanted to look after children who can’t live at home with family as long as I can remember.
“Children don’t ask to come into this world, so it is our joint responsibility to make sure that they are looked after.”
She currently has two teenage girls in her care and describes them as her family.
But although it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, Ms Firth said the rewards outweighed the difficulties.
“I cared for a sibling group of four kids for a year, they were between three and 14 years old. That was hard work, but lots of fun,” she said.
“There are different challenges with each person who comes to live with me – the house dynamics are always changing.
“It’s unrealistic to think there are no challenges, but the rewards far out way them.”
Her favourite experiences as foster carer have been the ongoing relationship with her ‘kids’.
“Having kids call me or come over after they have moved out is special.
“I like just ‘hanging out’ with the kids, whether we are cooking a meal together, chatting about boys and friends or having a dance off on the Wii,” she said.
“We are going to Bali mid-September for a week, so I think that will be up there with some of the best experiences I have had.
“For anyone looking into becoming a foster carer, Ms Firth recommends asking lots of questions and involving friends and family in the decision.”
