The campaign will air on NITV and WIN TV.
My Forever Family NSW has launched a campaign to raise awareness in the community about the urgent need for more potential carers to step forward for Aboriginal children unable to live at home.
The campaign, featuring Rabbitoh’s star Braidon Burns and Play School’s Luke Carroll, seeks to recruit carers, preferably Aboriginal, who will keep Aboriginal children connected to culture and country, while providing a safe and nurturing family home.
The campaign will air on NITV and WIN TV.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, approximately one in 18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are in out-of-home care, more than 10 times the rate for non-indigenous children.
Burns, who has spoken openly in the past about his troubled childhood and personal experience with parents who have struggled with substance abuse, talks about the need for Aboriginal carers to keep children connected to culture and community.
“Too many Aboriginal kids can’t live at home and they need Aboriginal kinship and foster carers to remain safe and connected to culture and community," Burns says.
Recently he became the legal guardian of his younger brother Dray, showing true leadership within the community.
“You don’t have to be perfect to share our community with our kids, you just need to provide a safe and nurturing family home,” Burns says.
Proud father and AFI nominated actor Luke Carroll has also stepped up and called on the Aboriginal community to come together and support Aboriginal kids in need.
“As a proud father and Aboriginal man from the Wiradjuri nation, my kids and my culture are a big part of my life," Carroll says.
"My late mother was a kinship carer, providing a safe and loving home to my cousin, and keeping us connected to our culture.
“I’m excited to be working with an organisation that advocates for foster and kinship carers and strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for children in care. I know my mum would be looking down from above and she’d be really proud of this collaboration.”
Renee Carter, CEO of the program’s operating organisation, says they are committed to raising awareness of the need for more carers for Aboriginal children who can keep children safe and connected to their community and culture.
“Braidon and Luke will be raising awareness through the campaign regarding this critical issue, and we look forward to seeing more people look into how they can help their community," Carter says.
“With almost 40% of the kids living in out of home care system Aboriginal, locating more Aboriginal families to support community, is a matter of urgency.
“Anyone wanting to understand more about becoming a foster or kinship carer should contact My Forever Family NSW. The team are able to answer any questions and provide you with information about how to become a carer.”
