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Shortly after getting married and having their first child, Cindy then 19 and Bob at 21, decided to become foster parents. Nearly 45 years later, they don’t plan on slowing down or stopping anytime soon, especially since the need for foster parents continues to grow nationwide.
Throughout the years, this big-hearted and purpose-driven couple has opened their home and hearts to over 200 children and youth – some staying just a few hours, while others grew up with them into adulthood. Their journey has been marked by invitations to weddings and joyful news of their foster kids having their own children.
They say it’s been a phenomenal way to spend their life because no matter how long they have someone in their care, it’s an opportunity to make a positive change in that young person’s life. Their unyielding motivation stems from the common bond they share with the children, as they both grew up with domestic abuse, alcoholism, and trauma.
Despite taking on such a challenging role at a young age, they approached fostering with humour, optimism, and energy. That approach continues to guide them to this day. A young man who stayed with Cindy and Bob throughout his teenage years expressed how their optimism and constant reassurance that things would work out for him were key factors in building his own confidence to face and overcome his personal challenges at the time.
“Fostering is something that we need to do,” Bob explained. “I think we do it because it quiets the fear in our own hearts about how horrible it is to be a kid in trouble and have nowhere to go. Every foster family has stories of triumph, of sadness, of victory, of defeat. It’s a weird and wonderful way to live your life.”
Cindy and Bob do their best to make those who stay with them feel like they’re a part of their family, not just entering a temporary situation. They give the children a feeling of belonging right from the start to ease the trauma of being removed from their home, biological family, and community. Bob explained that many of the children eventually become comfortable enough to call Cindy and him “mom and dad.” “They hear the others say mom and dad all the time, so naturally that rubs off on them, and they do the same after a while.”
Every time you remove a child from their home, regardless of what’s going on in that home, you are traumatizing that child. We wanted to offer some sort of solution. And the only solution that seemed apparent to us was to welcome kids who needed a place to stay into our family. -Cindy LaBrecque
For the hundreds of thousands of children across Canada who are at risk of entering care due to unstable family situations, it’s critical that loving foster families, like Cindy and Bob’s, are available to provide a caring, stable home environment during a time of tremendous upheaval.
According to the Canadian Foster Family Association, there are approximately 35,000 foster families throughout Canada. However, fewer families now have the financial means, adequate living space, and capacity to meet the growing complexities of caring for one of the 59,000 children in care, placing their safety and well-being in jeopardy.
In Ontario, child welfare agencies are also pointing to an increase in the needs of families and children who are struggling with complex social, developmental, emotional, and mental health concerns that the child welfare sector is not equipped or resourced to handle on its own.
Cindy and Bob have experience caring for adults with special needs, which enables them to foster children who require mental well-being or physical health supports. They, like others who choose to foster a child, play a crucial role in helping that child experience the lifelong benefits of a safe, loving home and family, overcome their past traumas, and build the strength and resilience they need to thrive.
Both Cindy and Bob feel that their challenging childhoods gave them the strength to take on fostering for such a long time. They had no choice but to grow up quickly and take on adult responsibilities at an early age because sometimes, their parents were unable to do so. They aim to prevent that from happening to those in their care.
Bob revealed that their formula is simple. It’s to find reasons to laugh every day. “We strongly believe that there is humour in everything and getting kids to focus on that helps them stay kids and not grow up so quickly.”
There is the misconception that foster parents like Cindy and Bob are in it alone. The fact is that, in addition to the financial support from their local child welfare agency to help cover the costs of caring for the children they are fostering, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada provides additional support through a wide variety of programs delivered in conjunction with our Canada-wide network of partners.
The Foundation provides access to the wraparound supports, services, and experiences that young people need to truly thrive. For example, the Ignite the Spark Fund helps kids in care follow their passion, be it in arts, recreation, or sports.
We also help to improve the experiences of kids entering care with the Ted and Loretta Rogers Foster Care Comfort Kit Program, which provides them with a backpack filled with age-appropriate items and supplies – offering comfort during one of the most overwhelming experiences of their lives.
Fostering a child is a meaningful way to create long-lasting impact for a young person experiencing the trauma of abuse and neglect by providing the care, comfort, and support they need to move forward with confidence.
Bob summed up his nearly 45 years of fostering when he said that he wishes that he could live to be 120 and keep doing it.
For information about how to become a foster parent, please visit the Canadian Foster Family Association or a Children’s Aid Society in your province or territory.
