Funding Crisis Cases that help foster kids feel at home

Esso Australia is supporting A Better Life for Foster Kids to give children in Gippsland a more positive experience from the first time they enter their new foster home.

A Better Life for Foster Kids provides crisis cases to families fostering new children, which are delivered when the child joins the family.

“Around 85% of children arrive in their placement with only the clothes they are wearing, having been removed in emergency circumstances,” said Heather Baird, A Better Life for Foster Kids Founder and Coordinator, pictured below.

“The crisis cases include an array of around 55 essential items needed in a child’s first week in care. They also contain handmade blankets, toys and books that show children people care for them.

“Our team of dedicated volunteers spend two days a week sorting and packing community donations and items purchased new with support from generous donors like Esso Australia.

“The cases are then delivered to depots at Department of Human and Health Services offices around Gippsland, ready to be picked up by caseworkers and carers where and when they are needed,” said Heather.

The contribution from Esso Australia will enable A Better Life for Foster Kids to restock an entire Crisis Case Depot.

Esso Longford Plants Manager, Kartik Garg, said that he was proud of the company’s support of A Better Life for Foster Kids and other community groups in the area.

“It is essential that, as a member of the community, Esso Australia can support organisations like A Better Life for Foster Kids to improve the lives of vulnerable children in the Gippsland region.”