Fostering Hope Part 2: Foster parents hope to teach kids that ‘every person matters’

After having three children of their own, Dean and Andrea McGilvray said they didn’t quite feel like they had finished having a family.

“I had read an article in the local paper on fostering and when I put the article down, I thought fostering was where we were called to be,” said foster parent Dean.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I had read an article in the local paper on fostering and when I put the article down, I thought fostering was where we were called to be," said foster parent Dean.

It was in 2010 when they decided to become foster parents and have since then, taken in seven foster children ranging in age from infants to school-aged kids.

“We have a wonderful little person who lives with us. She’s been with us for five years now and she is five so yeah, she’s just a central part of our family and our home and it’s been a really great experience,” said Andrea.

READ MORE: Fostering Hope: Peterborough region in need of foster families

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Dean said the experience is unique but great.

“You get to have different children come through, of course, they have all different sorts of personalities and experiences and backgrounds, so it keeps things interesting. You definitely have to think outside the box sometimes in how you deal with things and do things,” said Dean.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You get to have different children come through, of course, they have all different sorts of personalities and experiences and backgrounds, so it keeps things interesting. You definitely have to think outside the box sometimes in how you deal with things and do things," said Dean.

Each foster family is assigned to a resource worker to offer the family ongoing support as needed. In addition, the foster child is assigned their own resource worker to advocate for their own needs to make sure their goals are being met.

So you might ask yourself, what’s a day like for the McGilvrays?

“Crazy, like everyone else’s family,” said Dean.

“It’s hectic, I mean, kids are busy at school, lots of sports activities — we’re a normal family — we don’t have it all together by a long shot but we do the best we can and it’s a lot of fun,” he adds.

READ MORE: B.C. foster parents say ministry blackballed them for speaking out

Amongst all the chaos, the message the McGilvrays hope to convey to their children is one of inclusion and acceptance.

“I hope that I’m giving them the message that every person matters and that you need to look for opportunities to step outside yourself to care for someone else,” said Andrea.

As for the best advice to those considering becoming foster parents: “I think if anyone is curious, to really explore that curiosity. There is a need, there really is a need, these children need good homes, so I think if anyone is interested, I mean, asking questions is always a good place to start. Talk to current foster parents, maybe in your community that you may have already known,” said Dean.