B14 Terrace Review - _ Wednesday, October 24, 1990 ™~, Foster parenting a : its an experience | Contributed by Natalie DeAndrade, Carl Anderson and Elizabeth Matzmeier In Terrace and elsewhere across Canada, Oct. 21-27 is being recognized as National Foster Parent Week. This year’s theme is Partnership, a recognition of the significant relationship among the Ministry of Social Services and Housing, foster parents, and the community at large. The theme is intended to enhance the idea of team work in providing the best care possible for out community's children-in-care. The following stories, and stories that will appear in coming issues of the Terrace Review, describe the experiences. of foster parents who live in the Terrace-Kitimat area. For purposes of confidentiality, fictitious names have been created, - but the people and their stories are very real, Because foster parenting can encompass a wide variety. of experiences, all of them unique, many different types of applicants are eligible to apply for the program. Anyone who is interested in further information or who wants to apply to become a foster parent can contact the Ministry of Social Services and Housing in Terrace (638-3527), Kitimat (632-" 6134) or Cassiar (778-7227). Marrie and Oswald Fentz Marrie and Oswald are a mature couple with five grown daughters. After their daughters had moved out, Marrie got an outside job for four years. After four years she quit so that she could ‘see Oswald more often. They then moved to Ontario for nine months, and then back to Terrace, where they currently reside. Marrie and Oswald decided to foster after noticing how much they missed the sound of children in the house when their daughters moved away. ro Their first placement was a group of five children that they were asked to foster on Dec. 22, 1988. Marrie was called asking if she would take the five of them, one girl and four boys, for the next little while. Marrie agreed, being unable to picture brothers and sisters being separated at Christmas. The two eldest boys, 10 and nine years of age, stayed with the family only 10 days. Marrie and Oswald quickly no-- ticed that the boys had poor ideas of cleanliness, and were unused to following household tules. The two boys acted like 14-year-olds, leaving whenever they pleased, and they proved to be extremely argumentative whenever they weren’t getting their own way. One day, an argument began and the older boy went to his room, packed all his clothes, took $50 from Mar- tie’s wallet, and walked into town with his younger brother in tow. Marrie quickly called Social Services and had the boys removed from her home. Marrie had become so frus- trated at one point that she called her foster worker and asked for someone to help her. Soon afterwards, Penny, an ex- perienced foster care worker and teacher aide, began helping out in the evening. The children that «she accepted’ into. her house ~ ~ began to reflect the neglect they received at their homes. The baby had bowed legs from mal- nutrition and all the children had defective teeth and learning disabilities. Both Marrie and Oswald agree that the positive points of fostering are the children, and the only negative part is seeing them leave. As advice to people consider- ing fostering, Marrie recom- mends that you always make sure that you are getting enough money for the children’s needs, and she warns that sometimes EVERYONE WELCOME! Lucky Dollar (Age 14 years and up) you will have to be ready to fight for what you consider necessary.” Mery! ‘Meryl is the primary foster parent in a family of four, because her husband works in camp during the .week. They have two sons and have been fostering for two and a half years. Meryl is the regional secretary for the Foster Parents Association, which goes from -the Queen Charlottes to the Peace River. Meryl began fostering when a lady. from their church spoke of a family needing help while their mother went to alcohol treat- ment for a month, She took these children into her home, and since then, there have been about 20 placements. She con- tinues to foster as she feels it is her duty as a Christian, and because of the great joy in seeing the children develop. a There have been disappoint- ments along the way. Meryl remembers one teenaged girl | who had been with them. for nine months. She believed they were communicating well, then the carnival came to town and the girl ran away with it. The girl returned some time later, preg- nant. Meryl also remembers a girl she drove back to her parents, and: refuséd ‘to “kéép. ” She found the girl to be a thief and realized that she should not . be in care. There have been the positive times along with: the rough, however, including a smal! boy who had made incredible: im- provements and advancements in his development during his. placement, . As advice to people planning to foster, Meryl encourages them to find out all the informa- tion: they can, especially the ways in which money is avail- able. Foster Parent Week October 21-27 In British Columbia, there are more than 3000 foster _ families providing caring, stable homes for children temporarily j in need. ‘This year, +0 of those families received the Lieutenant- Governor's Foster Families Award, in recognition of their outstanding contributions. For the rest, ihe rewards are less public - a smile here, a hug there, But this is Foster Parent Week, and we're going public now with a heartfelt thank you to all the foster families of British Columbia. Most people already have the basic knowledge and skills. to be a foster parent. It also takes patience and commitment ta meet the challenge. if you've got what it takes .. . please call us. Foster Care 4} British Columbia 1-800-663-9999 7] Province of British Columbla . Ministry of Social Services and Housing Honourable Narman Jacobsan, Minister Palace — 4818 Highway 16 West DOORS OPEN AT 4:30 P.M. Mar, 21-Apr. 19 TAURUS | Apr. 20-May 20 GEMINI May 21-June20 CANCER June 21-Fuly 22 LEO July 23-Aug. 22 VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept, 22 LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22 SCORPIO Ocl. 23-Nov. 21 SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec; 21 CAPRICORN Dec, 22-Jan, 19 AQUARIUS Fortunate trends prevail for profiting from joint | financial interests. You gain much from the know- how of partners. Bediscreet. There are fortunate influences for harmonious dealings with mate or partner. Be wary of an up- coming obstacle where finances are concerned. Turn your attention to work interests. Schedule appointments with those who can help you up the corporate ladder. Delightful surprises are in store for you in thede-' partments of romance and recreation. Keep an eye on pursestrings. Domestic interests are favored. Don’toverdothe insistence on having things your way. Be alert _ totheneeds of family members. ‘ Frequent visits with family and friends in your immediate surroundings give your spirits a lift. Thereis strength in numbers, Capitalize on favorable planetary formations and reach out for cherished hopes and wishes. Make plans for the upcoming holidays. Let your leadership abilities show forth but don’t step over the line. The spotlight shines your way. Seek out aquiet place where you can rest and relax and lei off tension. Restore your energies. Friends, social activities, organization and group associates keep you on a busy treadmill. Important contacts aremade. - Confidential plans you've been delaying should SUNDAY: Terrace Athletics Association MONDAY: Terrace Minor Hockey (First thrae Mondays of every month) Terrace Minor Baseball (Remaining Mondays of every month) TUESDAY: Kermode Friendship Society WEDNESDAY: Terrace Blue Back Swim Club Terrace Peaks Gymnastics THURSDAY: Sponsoring Comm. to 747 Cadets Order of the Royal Purple EARLY FRIDAY: Canadian Paraplegic Association LATE FRIDAY: Nisga’a Tribal Council (Terrace Local) . SATURDAY: Canadian Parents For French — Morning Terrace Soccer Association - (Alternate) : B.C. Paraplegic Foundation — Evening . LATE NIGHT: Kinsmen Club of Terrace. . ce o> Terrace Figure Skating’ Club - - (Alternate) Jan.20-Feb, 18 — moveright along now. Your skills arc likely to be noticed whereitcounts. Unexpected happenings in the orderly way of life call for a radical change in direction. Reach out for help and support. PISCES Feb. 19-Mar. 20 Regular — BER T's DELI CA T ESSEN WE HAVE. a large: variety of, -"- tments, cheasas, Euiopean ; novelties , ‘super - -- ‘sandwiches, fresh: salads, We cater: tor large and o small parties and pis, BESO, ‘ Meta, “Thank youl Have a Nice day! _ 4603 Park Ave..Terrace.(across from the llbrary) on a wee!