Taking on five children as a single caregiver was only the beginning of a journey that would test her resilience through complex caregiving challenges, personal loss and moments that required extraordinary strength. Along the way, support from the Archway Caregiver (Foster Parent) Support Program (CSP) helped ensure she didn’t have to navigate those challenges alone.

Laura was first referred to CSP by her Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) resource worker while navigating intense behaviours with one of the teenagers in her care. Laura was hesitant about joining, as she was already stretched thin, and the thought of building new relationships felt overwhelming.

“When you’re already feeling so isolated and alone, it’s really hard to find the energy to connect with new people,” said Laura.

Today, Laura is grateful for joining the program and says it was one of the best decisions she could have made.

CSP was developed in collaboration with MCFD to help foster families and family caregivers maintain ministry placements. Through one-to-one support, advocacy, group training, resources and ongoing encouragement, the program equips caregivers to navigate trauma, attachment, diagnoses, transitions and the everyday realities of fostering.

An Unconventional Journey into Foster Care

She worked as a primary caregiver in a specialized resource home when a sibling group of five children moved in.

MCFD was working to find a long-term plan for the sibling group. Wanting to keep the children together, Laura approached the ministry with an idea of her own.

“I said to the ministry ‘What if I just take them on and foster them?’ So that’s what we did, and I took on five kids as a single caregiver by myself,” said Laura.

She found a larger home, moved with the children, and became their foster parent full-time. Nearly nine years later, those siblings are still together.

Support Through Life’s Hardest Moments

A few years ago, Laura’s identical twin sister became critically ill and later passed away – something that is still difficult for her to talk about. As she tried to parent while navigating overwhelming grief, her MCFD resource worker once again referred her to CSP.

“Going through those final stages of her illness and being a parent while grieving such a really big loss was hard. Their support just went above and beyond,” said Laura. “They didn’t just sit with me – they walked with me through the harder parts of what I was going through.”

Program staff checked in regularly, encouraged her to access counselling, and offered practical and emotional support throughout her grieving journey.

“I honestly don’t think I would have gotten through that period of my life without caregiver support helping me through.”

Caregiver Foster Parent Support team: L-R Cindy, Becky, and Melissa

Building Confidence Through Advocacy and Training

CSP supports caregivers through individual coaching, phone, text and email support, care team meetings, resources and specialized training.

For Laura, one of the most valuable parts of the program is having someone beside her during meetings with school staff and MCFD representatives.

Whether advocating for counselling for a child, helping communicate a concern, taking notes or simply providing reassurance, her caregiver support worker helps ensure both Laura’s voice – and the needs of the children in her care – are heard.

“The Caregiver Support program helps me advocate for the things that I need to be a successful foster parent.”

The program also offers regular in-person and virtual training covering trauma-informed caregiving, neurodiversity, mental health, community resources, and self-care.

Laura attends all of the trainings offered by CSP, strengthening both her skills and her confidence.

“I definitely feel stronger and more confident as a foster parent having the support from the caregiver support program.”

The trainings have also connected her with other foster parents who understand the unique joys and challenges of caregiving. Several of those relationships have grown into lasting friendships and a support network she continues to rely on today.

“Being a foster parent can feel very isolating, but having a strong support system and connections with other caregivers can make all the difference,” said Becky Driediger, Archway CSP supervisor.

Saying Yes

Last year, while still grieving the loss of her sister, Laura received another call – a non-verbal six-year-old girl with complex needs required a home.

Laura had little time to prepare.

Within hours, she transformed one of her respite rooms into a welcoming bedroom with toys, clothing and comforting items, knowing the child might arrive with very little.

She reached out to her support network consisting of family, friends, and some connections built during CSP trainings and events. Within hours, people began dropping off supplies.

“Even my kids all got together and they went through their stuffies and put some stuffies in her room,” said Laura.

When the little girl arrived, she carried only a pair of pajamas and one change of clothes.

Despite still carrying her own grief, Laura knew she had made the right decision.

“When they called me and told me her story, there was just something there. I don’t know, it was just a feeling. I had to say yes.”

Making the Journey Easier

For Laura, fostering is about offering children what they need most: safety, stability and someone who will continue showing up.

“You show up consistently, you offer them stability, you build those relationships and those attachments, and you support them through some of the hardest times of their life.”

CSP makes it possible for caregivers to keep doing exactly that.

“If foster caregivers ever have the opportunity to access the support through the Caregiver Support Program, I highly recommend it because it will help grow you as a caregiver, a person, and it just helps you build confidence. It just makes your journey a little bit easier.”

The warmth of the program is something she still notices every time she walks through the doors.

“I honestly just feel like home when I walk in there. It doesn’t matter who’s there – everybody is just so kind and so supportive.”

By investing in caregivers like Laura, Archway is helping ensure children and youth experiencing some of life’s greatest challenges have caring adults who are equipped, supported and able to continue saying “yes” when it matters most.