News

NSW Minister for Community Services Linda Burney has formally presented Wesley Mission Superintendent the Rev. Keith Garner with $30 million to support Wesley Mission’s out-of-home care services in Western Sydney and the Central Coast over the next three years. 

Mr. Garner said the financial support will bolster Wesley Mission’s work to keep families together in out-of-home care.

“Keeping families together and keeping them strong is at the heart of our programs,” Mr. Garner said. “We support Community Services wholeheartedly in this initiative to keep foster children together in family groups.”

The funding will allow Wesley Mission to care for 200 children and young people in Metro West and 72 on the Central Coast. The children will receive wrap around services, including educational and psychological support.

“This funding will allow us to care for an awful lot more children and young people,” Mr. Garner said.

Ms. Burney said that the funding would primarily be used for keeping brothers and sisters in foster care in the same homes or care facilities, because when siblings are separated it can be traumatic.

“Children are more likely to adapt to foster care when they are placed with a brother or sister,” Ms. Burney said.

The funding is also designed to aid foster carers already looking after siblings and to cover the costs of family group homes.

“This agreement commits our community partners to providing extra placements for family groups,” Ms. Burney said.

Carissa Neal, who spent time in three different Wesley Mission foster care settings to escape from an abusive father, said she was much more comfortable when she was placed in care along with two of her brothers. 

“I felt more a sense of family when I was placed with two of my brothers,” she said. “It would have been beneficial to have been with all three of my brothers.”

Ms. Neal married in 2007 and was given away to the bridegroom Wayne Neal by her one-time Wesley caseworker Nigel Lindsay, who now oversees Wesley’s Dalmar out-of-home-care services.

Michael and Carol Lowerson, foster parents of four siblings ages five through 12 from a six-sibling family in Penrith through Wesley Mission, said increased financial support will enable them to do more for their children. 

"With all the children the money just goes into a black hole, it all gets used up with practical things like food, clothes and all those things,” Mr. Lowerson said. “More money would help us let the kids have broader experiences."

All photos are owned by Wesley Mission. These images may not be reproduced without the express permission of the photographer. Please contact Wesley Mission for more information.

Click on any picture below to view a larger version.

Wesley Mission CEO the Rev. Keith Garner speaks to reporters at NSW Parliament Garden following an announcement of increased funding for out-of-home care services on Wednesday, 11 March 2009

(From Left) Nigel Lindsay, Carissa Neal, Michael Lowerson, Carol Lowerson, and Heidi Meade