MALLEE Accommodation and Support Program (MASP) calls on the community to celebrate all things foster care at the organisation’s inaugural Fostering Friday at Mildura’s Sarah Oval on September 18.
Fostering Friday starts from 2pm with a Free Family Fun festival on the oval until 4.30pm, featuring laser tag, pony rides, wildlife demonstrations, free food and much more, before a separate ticketed evening discussion panel and networking event inside the Imperial Football Netball Club rooms from 5.30pm.
“With the Victorian school holidays starting that day, this is a great way to kick them off by spending an afternoon outside with plenty of fun and activities,” MASP CEO Charmaine Calis said.
“We encourage all families to come along after school finishes and take advantage of what is on offer.”
Special guest for the day will be former AFL footballer Josh Jenkins, who grew up in Foster Care in Swan Hill.
“We are thrilled to have Josh on board to meet our community’s young people during the day and then to share his experiences at the panel session,” Mrs Calis said.
“This is an incredible opportunity to hear from someone who has been through the system to get a firsthand reflection on how foster care can change a child’s life.”
Joining Josh on the panel will be a former foster carer, Member for Mildura and Victorian Shadow Minister for Disability, Ageing, Carers and Volunteers Jade Benham and Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Manager of Kinship and Foster Care Sheree Gee.
“Each of these speakers offers a unique perspective on foster care – whether through lived experience or a policy lens, and this will make for an informative evening that really delves deep into the subject of foster care,” Mrs Calis said.
“I encourage anyone who has thought about becoming a foster carer, or who has any interest in learning more about it, to register their spot and come along.”
To book your spot for the evening panel session, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/masp-fostering-friday-lived-experience-and-policy-panel-tickets-1996360391672
Fostering Friday is being held thanks to major sponsor Mildura Toyota.
