This week is Foster and Kinship Carer Week and Lutheran Care is acknowledging and celebrating the positive impact its carers have on the lives of children and young people.

The commitment Foster Carers have to those in their care is nothing short of extraordinary and Lutheran Care Specialist Carer Celena Burge is one carer who has an unwavering drive to provide those in her care with the supports they need.

Celena is providing a wonderful and nurturing home to those in her care, giving them opportunities to thrive and succeed in life.

Prioritising biological family and cultural connections, Celena is an advocate for two Specialist Foster Care children aged five and six to maintain these important relationships.

Specialist Foster Carers care for children and young people with complex needs who require a higher level of care than Generalist Foster Care.

Through comprehensive training and assessment, Specialist Carers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to care for children with complex needs and help them reach their full potential.

Celena welcomed the two children into her family when they were infants, while also raising her three, now adult biological children.

Celena’s entire house is remodified to suit the children’s care needs, and without a medical background, Celena upskilled herself to often fill 60-plus hours in a week of care to cover staff shortages on the continuous 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rotating staff roster for one of her children.

Lutheran Care Foster Care Case Worker Rhiannon Waldhuter provides support to Celena’s family. She said she sees a resilient family unit led by an extraordinary woman.

“Every day Celena faces obstacles that most people would struggle to overcome, but Celena powers through with gusto and enormous love in her heart for her children,” Rhiannon said.

“I can’t wait to see what the future holds for both children. With Celena’s steadfast advocacy, their stories are limitless.”

Foster and Kinship Carer’s Week runs from September 8 to 14 and is recognised annually to celebrate the contributions that all carers make to the lives of children and young people.

To find out more, visit the website.

It takes a village to raise a child and Lutheran Care believes that a child can never have too many people love them.

Lutheran Care invites you to get in touch or register to attend an upcoming information session if you’re interested in learning more about Foster Care. The journey to fostering looks different for everyone and there is equal variety in the experience of fostering itself.

You never know where the path could take you, but Lutheran Care’s dedicated Foster Care team is here to guide and support you every step of the way.

Find out more about fostering here.

Be the Village.