As a nurse and manager in a sleep disorder clinic and a single parent of three, Kate Palumbo knows about juggling responsibilities.
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Despite her commitments, Kate has opened her doors to children in need.
"I was very passionate about helping kids, and when I discussed fostering with my children, I discovered they shared the same flame,” she said.
When she found they required a larger home to accommodate foster children, Kate picked up and moved house, now having room for two extras in their family.
“I applied with Fostering NSW who matched me with Challenge Community Services; I could not wait to get started,” Kate said.
Four months after starting the foster process, Kate received her first respite placement, a 5-year-old boy with special needs who visited fortnightly.
"He taught my children resilience, tolerance, acceptance and unconditional love,” Kate said.
“He taught me how much these kids need us and how accepting of a strangers’ love a child can actually be.”
Since then Kate provided respite for four children, including caring for two 6-year-old children over Christmas, and for the past eight months has provided a short-term placement for a 7-year-old girl.
She said the training she had received has not only helped her with foster children but also proven invaluable with her own kids and in her workplace.
“I have taken up every bit of training both Challenge and Connecting Carers has to offer,” Kate said. “It is almost worth becoming a carer just to have access to this training; I cannot speak highly enough of it.
“Fostering children has taught me more than I ever could have imagined and it has opened my heart further than I thought it could expand.”
Kate said she loves foster caring and intends to do it for a long time to come.
“These kids are our country’s future, and they didn’t choose to be where they are.
“We can certainly help, but we need more carers to look after these kids while other agencies work to help their parents. This is such a vital and valuable journey for us to be involved in.”
Kate’s family share her enthusiasm for fostering and they have also enlisted to become carers.
“My parents are loving making a difference and the training, it makes them feel valuable,” Kate said.
“My sister and her family have also since decided they will also do their part and will be processing an application shortly.”
Work flexibility, training, support, and patience have gotten Kate through the difficult times, and she is calling on others to join her in helping children who can’t live at home.
“When people say to me ‘I don’t know how you do it,' I respond with ‘I don’t understand how you think you can’t,” Kate said.
If you think that becoming a carer may be right for you and you would like to discuss how you might join Kate and her family on the fostering journey then call 1800 084 954.
Or email Challenge Community Services fostercare@challengecommunity.org.au for more information.