Open Home Foundation is a Christian social service
which provides home based social work and foster care for families who are
struggling to provide safe care for their children. Our vision is that ‘every child in NZ will receive a depth of
care that will bless them for the rest of their life’ – physically,
emotionally and spiritually.
The
organisation was established in 1977 by Ewen and Gillian Laurenson. Following
their difficult experience in running a Social Welfare family home, they began
to develop a network of Christian Foster families as an alternative for
children and young people placed in Department of Social Welfare care.
The work
began in the Laurenson's Johnsonville home with a small group of supporters and
within a short period of time, it began to develop in other parts of New
Zealand. In 1986, because of rapid growth, Open Home Foundation became a
national organisation and both Ewen and Gillian were awarded the Queen's
Service Medal for their service to Foster Care in New Zealand in 1995.
Families
may need to be supported to safely care for their children for a number of
reasons. Stress, mental health issues, domestic violence, drug & alcohol
issues, homelessness, abuse & neglect and disability are just a few of the
factors which can contribute to the breakdown of a family’s ability to provide
adequate safe care for their children. In many instances the family simply
needs to be supported to make the changes necessary in order to safely care for
their children. Even with a high level of support however, there are times when
it becomes necessary for children and young people to leave the care of their
parents. Wherever possible this care is undertaken by kin. Where this is not
possible foster care can be provided for a short time as respite or on a longer
term or permanent basis if necessary.
Open Home
Foundation believes that families, and preferably a child or young person’s own
family or whanau, are the best place for a young person to grow. We therefore
make every effort to place a child requiring foster care with a member of their
own extended family before exploring any other options.
Since the
earthquakes we have seen a significant rise (17%) in the numbers of children
being referred for care and protection (Ministry of Social Development). Families
have been stressed in so many different ways and this has been made all the
more difficult by a lack of support as friends and relatives have moved away
and communities have changed. With this increase in referrals there is now also
an urgent need for additional support. We require more foster parents, prayer
support, and financial sponsorship to provide for the needs of the children
(swimming lessons, music tuition, furniture and holiday camps) as well as financial
assistance to provide the resources needed to serve the community in this way
(additional social workers, cost of running cars and transport for children).
We are
very keen to share our story with the wider community and invite people in
Canterbury to consider partnering with us in this local mission work by
providing prayer support, sponsorship and by stepping up to provide foster care
for a few days to give long term carers a break or on a longer term basis. We
provide on-going training, 24 hour support and financial reimbursement to all
our foster carers. They are the heart of our organisation.
Our
vision is that ‘every child in NZ will
receive a depth of care that will bless them for the rest of their life’
and our goal is to have enough foster parents to be able to say ‘yes’ to every
referral. We are very keen to share our
story and to partner with the community across wider Canterbury. Our new
website provides some wonderful information about the work we do including
interviews with foster parents and online sponsorship details. www.ohf.org.nz If you are interested in fostering or would
like a presentation for your organisation, community group, congregation or
mission leadership team please contact: nicole.garner@ohf.org.nz or
PH 03 366 5977 We’d be delighted to partner with you!
Thanks to Nicole Garner for sending this post in
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