Foster FACS Waterloo

10/29/2026

There are many ways to support children and families in the KW region. If you think you can help, please reach out!

It's more than a ride - it's a key component to creating a network of support for families and children.

Family & Children's Services of the Waterloo Region is in need of Volunteer Drivers.

Check it out today!
https://buff.ly/0F0xSDA

10/28/2026

Tomorrow is which is only one day, but the relationships and partnerships that support children, youth and families matter all year.

10/23/2026

10/22/2026

Thank you to all of our caregivers who joined us yesterday for our annual Foster Caregiver Appreciation Night! We are so grateful to have such a loving and supportive community.

Today, we have the pleasure of introducing another remarkable caregiver named Jessica whose support is making a meaningful difference in the lives of the children in her care.

My name is Jessica and I have been a foster caregiver for 1.5 years. I have always wanted to raise my son to know the importance of helping others and giving back to our community, and fostering has been the perfect way to model those values. When he was 6 years old, I began the process of training and onboarding. I have heard rumours or stereotypes that single parents are not able to become foster parents, and I have learned first-hand that that is simply untrue. Fostering in a single parent household has its challenges – mostly the fact that I am always outnumbered. But watching smiles, laughter and inside jokes form between the kids is such a reward. I started my foster journey by taking in one child, and after a successful year I opened our doors again and I currently have 2 placements. Having 3 school-aged children in the house is busy and can be chaotic at times with differing schedules, hobbies, and routines, but the support of friends, family, and the agency make it all possible. The volunteer drivers have been lifesavers, and they make it so that the children never have to miss out due to me not being able to be in two places at once. I have had the pleasure of meeting some extremely dedicated agency staff, and their support and guidance has taught me so much throughout this process. We have had our circle grow larger through friendships with other foster caregivers and forming relationships with the siblings and extended family members of my placements.
Fostering brings lots of emotions and uncertainties, and you are meeting little people during one of the toughest points in their life. It takes time and patience to gain their trust, but you get to experience them opening up and considering your home as their own. As a foster parent, you may be showing a child consistency and stability for the first time; and when they realize you will continue to show up for them each day, the rewards cannot be measured. I have been able to witness first-hand the immense need for foster caregivers in our community, and I hope that sharing my experience and story can help others take the first step in determining if fostering can be the right fit for their family.

10/21/2026

It's Day 3 of Foster Parent Appreciation Week! Today we're proud to highlight Patricia and Gabriel, two exceptional caregivers in our region who share their time, care and compassion in support of children and families.

Hello! We’re Patricia and Gabriel. We moved to KW over 13 years ago for Patricia to attend grad school, and we never left. We both work full time and live in Kitchener with our 7-year-old child and our dog. We’ve been fostering for almost 4 years and have had 17 children in total in our care, ranging from newborns discharged from the hospital to 17 year olds. We currently have 4 children in our care between the ages of 2-12. Having felt a deep calling to open our home and share our lives with other children, we began our fostering journey. It was a leap of faith as we chose to step into the unknown, not having known anyone who fostered children.
Being a foster parent has truly tested us. We’ve learned how to advocate for ourselves and for the children in our care, how to lean on our community for help, and how to navigate a complex system. On the hard days, we’ve found solace in knowing that we’re helping keep these children safe in their community, and close to their friends and family. It’s also been a great privilege to share our hobbies with the children in our care. From May to September of this year, we did a combination of front and backcountry camping for 27 nights across central and southern Ontario. Seeing the children's big smiles as they caught their first bass while in a canoe will always be a core memory for us.
At the beginning of our fostering journey, we didn’t think we would be able to foster more than one child at a time. However, the Family and Children’s Services staff believed in us, empowered us, and were always there to answer the millions of questions and concerns we had. Through their support, we’ve completely embraced the minivan life, are constantly doing laundry, and can’t imagine a home where there isn’t always a little chaos.

10/20/2026

Day 2 of Foster Parent Appreciation Week! Today, we're delighted to introduce Callie, another of our outstanding kin and foster caregivers. Join us in celebrating Callie!

Hi there, my name is Callie! I have been fostering since 2023. I initially became a foster parent through a kin placement, and have recently just accepted a new foster child into my care. When I became a foster parent I was fostering a 15 year old teen, and I am now fostering a 4 year old toddler! I became a foster parent because I felt drawn to be a person these children can rely on. Everyday, I wake up and feel grateful for the opportunity I have and to have such lights in my life through fostering. Being a foster parent is something that has been the biggest reward, and I don’t think I could ever see myself not fostering now. Seeing children bloom, getting to experience graduations, first day of school, all those little moments make everything worth it. The agency has supported me on my foster parent journey since the beginning and has always helped me advocate and help build these children up! Not everyday is going to be easy, but I promise it is all worth it!
If you are thinking about or are interested in becoming a foster parent, the best advice I can give you is to enjoy every moment. Everyday is special and as a foster parent we are able to be that special person in these children’s lives. It is something that you will never regret.

10/19/2026

Happy National Foster Family Appreciation Week! 🎉 This week, FACS Waterloo will be highlighting five incredible foster and kin families who are making a meaningful difference for children, youth, and families in our community. To all foster and kin families near and far - Thank you for all you do! 💙

Allow me to introduce two of our wonderful foster caregivers Nadeem and Alison!

We've been foster parents since 2022, when we welcomed the first youth into our home. We originally thought we would care for young school-aged children, but when we were asked if we could care for a teen, we decided to give it a try. It was a great decision, as we've been able to develop an ongoing relationship with this youth, staying in touch with her and her siblings as she embarks on new stages in her life as a young adult. Since then, we've also supported younger kids. This brought its own challenges, as we strive to make the kids feel at home, but also support their continuing relationships with their own families. Last year, we made the decision to care for a newborn baby and it's been a wonderful adventure. Each kid has come with challenges but also with an opportunity to make a lasting connection with a young person. It really has brought our lives into unexpected directions! We are so grateful to the support of our Resource Worker with FACS who always has our back. We're also happy to have met other foster parents along the way.

10/02/2026

October is Cyber Security Awareness month in Canada. Stay informed and keep you and your children safe online.

Homepage of the Government of Canada Get Cyber Safe campaign. Find out where the risks are, how to protect yourself and how to protect your devices.

09/29/2026

The National Day for Truth & Reconciliation is tomorrow, September 30th. Here are a few things happening in Waterloo Region to get involved in:

The Healing of the Seven Generations "Remember Me" Walk:
This annual community walk starts at 10:00 AM at 300 Frederick Street in Kitchener. Participants march to the Victoria Park clock tower to listen to guest speakers and Indigenous drummers.
Following the walk, all are welcome to join Crow Shield Lodge for a Sacred Fire, Drumming and Elders at 101 David Street, Kitchener.

University of Waterloo National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Commemoration & Walk. 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM Green, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON
Description: A day of remembrance, reflection, and learning featuring a Sunrise Ceremony at 7:00 AM, a Commitment Polishing Ceremony at 10:00 AM, remarks and a community walk at 11:00 AM, and closing remarks with drumming and a round dance at 12:00 PM.

Martin Luther University College Gathering
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Martin Luther University College, Common Area & Courtyard (75 University Ave W, Waterloo) A time of pause, education, and action where participants can paint a stone for the courtyard garden, read The Orange Shirt Story, and engage in reconciliation efforts.

Radio Waterloo Special Broadcast – CKMS-FM 102.7 Radio
from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Broadcasting "Remembering the Children," a national commemorative gathering and special programming dedicated to reflection and education

Stop by a local Tim Hortons and purchase an orange sprinkle donut!
100% of proceeds going to five Indigenous organizations across Canada.