Arriving in Australia from the warm, tropical climate of Ghana, West Africa in 2003, Lutheran Care’s Foster Care Multicultural Worker Genevieve says she felt like she walked into an air conditioner turned on outside.

After living in regional South Australia for a year, Genevieve moved to Adelaide to study social work at university.

Genevieve joined Lutheran Care a few months ago with 16 years’ experience as a social worker.

“The thing I love about being a Social Worker is walking alongside people and journeying with them,” Genevieve says.

“I often find that people have answers to their dilemmas already, sometimes they just need someone to come alongside and walk through with them to find those answers.

“I love being part of that journey and seeing people have that ‘a-ha’ moment. I honestly believe knowledge is power and we are all better for it.”

Genevieve’s career in Child Protection began as a mentor for a young person who had moved from a nearby region in West Africa. She has also worked for the Office for Women, as well as Northern Territory Mental Health Services.

During her time as a social worker, Genevieve says the common thread has been working with people from other cultures supporting them with settling into a new country, learning about Australia and empowering them to live lives that are meaningful to them.

“The thing I love the most about Lutheran Care, is its focus on thinking about how best we can support people from other cultures and make sure that we are providing them a service that makes them feel seen, listened to and safe,” Genevieve says.

“I’m thankful to be in a role that allows me to facilitate that process. I love that no one day is ever the same in the work that we do.”

Derived from the Twi language in Ghana, Genevieve lives by the motto “Baako Ntena” meaning “one does not live or exist alone”.

Genevieve will be among those celebrating the many cultures and languages of South Australia at the 2024 Multicultural Festival in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga this Sunday, November 24.

The free, family friendly event showcases multiculturalism through music, dance, food, art and plenty of other activities from around 80 multicultural organisations.

Committed to providing appropriate supports to families caring for children and young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, Lutheran Care introduced the Foster Care Multicultural Worker role.

Support provided by the Multicultural Worker is centred on understanding the experiences of CALD children and young people in Foster Care, cross-cultural communication and acceptance.

Genevieve helps train and support Lutheran Care staff to work in a culturally sensitive and safe manner with CALD families and children.

Working alongside case workers, assessment workers and placement co-ordinators, Genevieve ensures carers are equipped and confident in supporting CALD children and young people.

Lutheran Care staff follow best practise when engaging with people and communities of different cultural and religious backgrounds.

Genevieve can assist families in case plan development to assist young people in connecting with culture and religion, making connections with community, plus engaging with multicultural community services providers and community groups to ensure Lutheran Care is informed of best practice.

Lutheran Care is always seeking caring and safe families and individuals to join the Lutheran Care Foster Care Village and become Foster Carers.

If you would like to know more about the different kinds of fostering, you can learn more here, or submit a confidential enquiry online and our team will get in touch with you.