A place in your heartA story for children living in Foster CareWritten and illustrated by Melanie Lee

A special thanks to The Aurora GroupThis book is dedicated to all GLBQTI foster carers who have opened their homes to a child in need.

Written and illustrated by Melanie Lee.

Staff from The Benevolent Society also contributed to the creative process and are acknowledged with thanks.

First published in Australia 2014.

© The Benevolent Society and Melanie Lee

ISBN: 978-0-9942092-2-1

We aim to provide recognition to the foster carers who provide the security, love and support children in foster care need to heal from past trauma. However being placed in a foster care home is just the start of the healing process.

Feeling different for not living with their birth family is an issue many foster children struggle with when developing socially. We hope this resource will provide support to both carers and their foster children to celebrate the diversity of the family that they have.

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ometimes children are born into families where things don’t quite work out as expected or hoped. I know what that feels like. My name is Jesse and I am one of those children.

My parents love me but they are not able to take care of me. A lady named Trisha, my case manager explained to me why I can’t live with my parents, and that I need to live with foster carers. We are going to my new home where I will be taken care of and kept safe.

{2}

risha’s job is to help me feel safe and understand what is happening, she tells me about my new home. I can talk to her about anything at all, especially any fears or worries I might have. As we set off to meet my foster carers, Tom and Jake, Trisha tells me that they are lovely and kind, and are looking forward to having me stay with them.

{4}

On the way we pass all kinds of families. Trisha explains to me that there are many types of parents and foster carers.

Or a man and a woman...

All who live together and love each other.

Some families have only one parent.

Or a man and a man...

Some may be a woman and a woman...

There are families that may have one child...

We both agree the most important thing about being in a family is to feel safe and loved.

Trisha tells me that my new foster carers are both men...

As we drive I wonder what my new carers Tom and Jake will be like.

... and some that have many children.

hen I first meet my foster carers they look happy and are smiling at me. I feel shy and nervous, like I have butterflies in my tummy but Tom and Jake make me feel welcome.

{8}

om and Jake have been together for a long time. Their home is bright and it feels warm and inviting. They take me on a tour of the house. Tom and Jake sleep in the same bed together, they go on holidays together and their house feels full of life. They show me where things are and tell me it’s okay to ask for anything I need.

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hen they show me to a room, my own room. They tell me that this is my space, a safe space especially for me. I’m excited to have a room of my own.

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t dinnertime, I miss my family. Even though it’s been explained to me it’s hard to understand why I need to live with other people. I have a lot of questions and Tom and Jake are happy to talk with me about everything. They help me to feel comfortable and safe in their home. Dinnertime feels special at Tom and Jake’s.

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here are some things I can’t talk about. I don’t have any words, I just feel sad. Tom and Jake are kind and are there to help me. They let me know it’s okay to feel however I feel.

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started at a new school. I have already made some friends but one of the boys teases me because I can’t live with my family. After school Tom and Jake talk to me about why I am in foster care and we discuss different kinds of families. I feel glad that people care about me. It feels good and I feel safe.

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om and Jake take me to a picnic day especially for children and foster carers. There are lots of families there and I meet other children who are living in foster care. I make more new friends and have a wonderful day playing. Tom and Jake tell me that these picnics happen often. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

{20}

his isn’t where my story ends. In many ways it’s just the beginning. Foster carers are in my life to help me feel safe and loved and to help teach me to love and care for myself. Tom and Jake have given me a place where I can feel free to be myself and enjoy life. I don’t just have a place in their home, but also a place in their hearts.

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About The Benevolent SocietyWe help people change their lives through support and education, and we speak out for a just society where everyone thrives.

As Australia’s first charity, we’re a not-for-profit and non-religious organisation and we’ve helped people, families and communities achieve positive change since 1813.

Our Fostering Young Lives program provides safe homes for some of the 17,800 children and young people in NSW who can’t live at home with their families.

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MAIN LOGOAllowed design optionsfor secondary usage

www.auroragroup.com.au www.benevolent.com.au

A place in your heart was created with the generous support of The Aurora Group to provide a child focused resource for foster families with carers in the GLBTQI community and beyond.