Ready to make a REAL DIFFERENCE in the life of a young person?

Do you have a heart for vulnerable children and youth? 

Are you passionate about positively influencing a traumatized life?

Are you ready to gain the skills needed to help a young person in need thrive?

If you’ve answered yes to these questions, we want you!

Fostering a child or youth can be very rewarding and fulfilling. It’s going to change their life—and yours.

Why Healing Hearts?

Truth be told—we are all broken inside. As adults who have been through our own unique challenges, difficulties, losses, and trauma, we now have the opportunity to help these young people find the healing they so desperately need. 

These children’s hearts are broken and they are in need of stable, consistent, nurturing, and caring foster parents that are willing to invest the time needed to bring healing in their lives—this is why we have called ourselves Healing Hearts! As foster parents—your role becomes life-changing in helping them to heal their hearts and minds. By helping them refocus their energy in a positive way and giving them the tools to make positive life choices—they have the potential to become healthy and thriving citizens in the future.

“The amazing part—when you help heal someones heart—you receive healing too.”

Creating hope for all children

We open our doors to children and youth from any ethnic background, however, the majority are from within the Black and/or African Canadian community. We strive to create an environment that is fair and impartial for all. One that supports all children without discrimination to address systemic barriers in child protection services. We desire for each child to realize their full potential.

Let’s be honest, fostering is a significant commitment!

Being a foster parent is no simple task. It is a lifestyle that requires:

A true love and passion for children/youth

A deep reservoir of patience

A willingness to learn and gain essential skills

A strong desire to be a positive influence

Having Realistic Expectations is Key

If you’re looking for the perfect child—this is likely not the right fit for you.

The majority of our children and youth are vulnerable. They may have been mistreated, abused, neglected, or sexually abused. One way or another, they have likely experienced trauma. This can manifest itself in a number of ways including aggression, socially withdrawn, suicidal tendencies, harmful behaviour, hyperactivity, substance abuse, and more.

Every child is an individual

It is vital that we look beyond their outward behaviour and see the individual inside. If the focus is on the behaviour—you will not see the child. If you see the child, you will understand the behaviour.

Creating the right environment

If you are willing to work one-on-one with a child who has challenges, has experienced trauma in their lives, and is need of your love, support, and help—then this relationship can be very successful! 

Many children are a product of their environment. When children are in a non-judgemental, caring and supportive environment—they will usually thrive. This is why your role is so critical. Success comes down to the environment you are able to provide.

We set you up for success

Healing Hearts wants to provide long-term care and stability for traumatized children and youth in a nurturing environment where they can thrive—while providing an unmatched support system for the foster parents themselves. 

You are not alone in this. We provide extensive training and support every step of the way to set you and your foster child up for victory. 

Support system for foster parents:

01:  In-depth Training

We provide monthly, in-person training arming you with real-life solutions for dealing with a host of possibilities that you may encounter. Training also includes essentials like CPR and first aid. 

02:  Support - 24/7

It is essential that you know you are never alone. Our emergency team is available on call 24 hours a day to provide immediate suggestions and solutions. If you need in-person support immediately, we will dispatch a team member to come and assist right away.

Fostering is a lifestyle that requires you to use your knowledge and the skills we provide to help care and support these young people. Having the right tools to know how to respond to challenging behaviour is critically important.

Support for children and youth

Ongoing and regular support for the foster child is essential as well. As they adjust to their new home and surroundings, while struggling with past trauma, there can be a lot for them to process and deal with. We offer them a full team which includes: a counsellor, therapist, resource worker, a clinician, and a psychiatrist. Our support team strives to partner with you to assist this young person to overcome struggles and receive lasting healing.

We desire to make their time with you as comfortable as possible. Paying attention to cultural preferences like hair and the cultural food they like to eat are important too. The more they feel supported and understood, the more they will feel comfortable and relaxed—thus creating a happier child and improved opportunity for success.