Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him will be in Paradise like this, putting his index and middle finger together.” (Source: Sahih al-Bukhari) Helping to bring stability into the life of a child or youth through fostering can be a fulfilling, life-changing experience. As an ideal foster caregiver, you have the following qualities:
- You have a genuine desire to contribute to the well-being of children and youth in our community;
- You are a single adult, couple, or a family;
- You are financially self-sufficient;
- You have the passion, time and energy for the parenting, caregiving and support of children and youth
As a foster caregiver in the province of Ontario, you will be given comprehensive training by Children’s Aid Society, and work in a well-supported team to provide care for a child or youth you have accepted into your home.
Services and activities include:
- Conduct research on Muslim fostering including demographics, support needs of families, and obstacles to fostering
- Build positive relationships and connect with children and family service agencies including the Children’s Aid Society, private fostering agencies, different levels of government, and other Muslim organizations
- Run community events and seminars to raise awareness about the importance of fostering
- Facilitate the intake and orientation of potential foster families
- Provide a support network for Muslim foster families