News Archives - Page 10 of 16 - The Burdekin Association

Community Matters

December 21, 2021December 15, 2021

We are always saying how much our community matters to us – because we mean it, we can honestly do so much more because of you.

Faros Seafood Marrickville

When only fresh will do… Faros Seafood on Buckley Street in Marrickville have an amazing reputation locally and beyond for their delicious seafood and friendly customer service. We would like to thank Peter and the team there for their very generous donation of a $50 gift voucher for each of our young people in the Inner West. Such generosity at a difficult time of the year – we are so very appreciative!

Rotary Club Dee Why

The lovely folk at The Rotary Club of Dee Why visited Friday, 17^th December and left some beautifully wrapped gifts that have been carefully placed under our Christmas tree. These presents are donations from the community, which will be allocated to our young people. Thank you so much to the lovely group of Rotary representatives and community members who generously donated the items. They will sure put smiles on our young people’s faces at Christmas.

Addi Road Community Organisation

Our Inner West office is located at the Addi Road Community Centre, which is operated by The Addi Road Community Organisation – also a not for profit. One of Addi Road’s initiatives is The Food Pantry – a food relief hub that sells low cost groceries to those in need or food vouchers to those who cannot afford to pay. In the lead up to Christmas their team of volunteers have been creating Hampers for Hope – with a mission to pack over 1000 gift hampers for those who are vulnerable and or in need this Christmas.

They have very kindly donated 50 hampers to Burdekin for the children and young people in our care. Amazing community spirit from our neighbours and we thank them so much! Our children and young people will love them!

From left to right, Virginia Texeira, Jacqui Gildaly (both Burdekin Inner West Managers), Graham Bargwanna, one of the BA senior managers and some of the team from the Addi Road Community Organisation.

Officeworks Brookvale

Recently our CEO was presented with a laptop, ipad, phone, and art supplies for the young people in our care by Officeworks in Brookvale – this will benefit our young people so much.

A big thank you to Gabby Collins and team. Here she is with our CEO Justene Gordon.

Bing Lee Balgowlah

Bing Lee Balgowlah also very kindly donated a number of vacuum cleaners that will be used across our houses to support our young people in Out of Home Care.

In the lead up to Christmas we also have many other contributions from individuals, businesses and local organisations – acts of kindness – that help make the lives of the children and young people in our care that much better.

Thank you!

Meet our Burdekin Foster Carer Team

August 22, 2022December 9, 2021

Monthly information sessions and local pop up events

Each month, our team hold information sessions about being a Burdekin Foster Carer. At the session we will take interested potential carers through all the information and answer questions. Please register your interest or share this post with somebody who might be keen. Here are our monthly dates.

In addition to monthly sessions we are popping up at local events – you might have seen us recently at the Marrickville Justice Fair and the Marrickville Organic Markets – thanks to those of you who dropped by and said hi. We will keep you posted about future events as it is a great opportunity to find out some information, pick up a flyer and chat to a real person about what is involved in being a Burdekin Foster Carer.

Have you ever considered becoming a foster carer?

You may have considered fostering a child in the past and have been hesitant for many reasons. Common reasons that hold people back might be:

Concerns about disruptions to your life/ your children’s life
Concerns about it being too challenging
Concerns about not having the right skills or personality
You might be worried about the behavioural challenges of a child who has suffered trauma
You might be concerned about relations with the biological family
You might be worried about becoming too attached/not attached
You might worried that you won’t be able to stick it out or will want to quit

Our team knows this – they know how you feel, they have been there too.

Considerations

Talking about becoming a foster carer doesn’t mean that you have to go through with it
Attending information sessions doesn’t mean that you have to go through with it
You can start off slow – with emergency or respite care
Becoming a Burdekin Foster Carer is different to other types of foster care because you have a whole team of support behind you to work with you and the child or young person

Our team are ready to support you through your initial inquiries with no expectations.

Contact us

For more information about becoming a Carer please contact our Carer Support Coordinators:

Phone: 02 8976 1777
Email: carer@burdekin.org.au

Sarah Inner West | Kerrie Northern Beaches

You might like to check out our information pages: Become a Burdekin Foster Carer and Burdekin Foster Carer FAQs.

Youth Development Fund Launch at our AGM

November 23, 2021November 18, 2021

Can you support our Youth Development Fund to raise $60,000

Yesterday we held our Annual General Meeting, thank you to everyone who joined us live, we appreciate you making the time to find out what we have been up to and where we are headed. It was an AGM with a difference and if you missed it, there is a recording which we will share with you shortly via social media.

At the AGM, our Patron, Prof. Brian Burdekin AO launched our Youth Development Fund. with a pledge to match all donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000. This means your donation is doubled, if you give $100 we receive $200, helping more young people reach their FULL potential.

Watch the launch here:

For more information on our Youth Development fund, please visit our Christmas appeal page.

You can also download our 2021 annual report here and view our client survey, which offers a snapshot of how our young people are doing in our care.

What our clients say – a snapshot.

November 23, 2021November 12, 2021

During the pandemic we undertook a client survey to find out how the young people in our care are doing – what is going well and what is going not so well – in our continuous strive to better meet their needs.

Data for the client survey was collected over a period of 3 months via an online survey platform. The survey team comprised of volunteers Amy, Bec and Caitlin, headed by Burdekin employee and Volunteer Manager Jill.

The opportunity to participate in the survey was offered to all clients in Burdekin’s housing programs, Out of Home Care and Youth Housing, and in both the Inner West and Northern Beaches regions.

The survey was conducted primarily during the difficult period of Sydney’s lengthy COVID-19 lockdown. This presented the opportunity to undertake a “pulse check” on the state of service delivery during this challenging time on top of the purpose of the survey to gather vital client feedback to inform future decision-making and get a clear understanding of how well we are doing as a service provider.

This is the survey – Shoutback, we asked, they answered.

Have you ever thought about becoming a Burdekin Foster Carer?

August 22, 2022October 20, 2021

Have you ever thought about becoming a foster carer?

Being a Carer with The Burdekin Association is different from the traditional foster care programs.

We are a community-based non-profit organisation with lots of different housing options, including a rent-free home for you and the child, generous carer allowance, ongoing training and continued support. Singles, couples and families are ALL welcome!

Are you ready?

Do you want to take the next step and make a difference to a child’s life? For more information, call Kerrie on 02 8976 1777 or email carer@burdekin.org.au.

Check out what Burdekin Foster Carers and young people in care have to say.

Have a listen to what Beth and Ange have to say about being Foster Carers with Burdekin. Beth and Ange.

Have a listen to what a difference having a caring home made to CJ. CJ

Have a listen to what being Foster Carers has meant to Jill and Tom. Jill and Tom.

Please visit our Carer pages to find out more – Becoming a Foster Carer and Live-in Foster Carer FAQ’s.

Have you ever considered becoming a foster carer?

Lisa* is a kind, thoughtful 11-year-old girl with loads of energy, looking for a loving home in the Inner West of Sydney. Lisa loves gymnastics, dancing and has recently shown a lot of interest in AFL. Lisa will be making the transition to high school next year and may need help getting to and from her new school. Lisa loves school but sometimes needs some support with her homework. She loves structure and routine and goes to bed at the same time every night. Lisa is an amazing chef – her favourite things to make are smoothies and cupcakes.
*Image and name has been changed to protect child’s identity.

Foster carers needed Inner West, Northern Sydney, Eastern Suburbs and South East Sydney - can you help?

Ricky* is a caring, funny, smart 12-year-old boy who is full of energy and is hoping for a warm and loving home in the Inner West of Sydney. Ricky* absolutely loves NRL and has recently taken a huge interest in his fitness – going to the local park for running and circuit training. He has recently learnt to follow recipes and cooks up a storm. Ricky* takes so much pride in his bedroom. Ricky* enjoys school and sometimes will need some support with his assignments. Ricky* responds positively to a structured but fun environment.
*Image and name have been changed to protect child’s identity.

Please call us if you think you can offer a home to a young person

Keeping siblings together in foster care is vital to keep their close bond and connection rather than being split up. Burdekin currently have young teenage siblings who urgently need carers available to offer them a safe and nurturing home.

Learn more about being a foster carer, hear real stories about what it is like to be a foster carer with us

At The Burdekin Association we know many teenagers are in need of a safe, secure, nurturing home and that many people won’t consider fostering teenagers because of negative misconceptions about them.

Fostering a teenager provides young people with a consistent, nurturing, adult role model at a vital time in their life, allowing them to build up necessary steps to independence.

You do not need to have had your own teenagers or have had experience with teenagers. What you do need to have is an open heart to support young people who need to be loved and protected.

We are looking for individuals from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences, who are single or in a relationship – all are welcome and encouraged to become foster carers.

Don’t forget, if you would like more information please give Kerrie on 02 8976 1777 a call, email carer@burdekin.org.au or visit our website to find out more – Becoming a Foster Carer and Live-in Foster Carer FAQ’s.