Foster families make lasting childhood memories
Children in Ranch Ehrlo’s Treatment Foster Care (TFC) program north are spending their summer making lifelong memories and exploring destinations across North America.
These unforgettable adventures are being shared with foster families who have opened their homes and their hearts to children in need of support and stability.
While some of the destinations may seem like just a simple road trip or a short flight away, they represent monumental moments for children who have grown up searching for a sense of belonging – not just in a home, but in the world.
“These experiences help make lasting memories and are such an important part of the growth and development of children,” said Dianna Stang, manager of TFC north. “A lot of the kids we work with have never left the province and have never dreamed that the world is such a big, beautiful place…so these experiences really broaden their horizons and help them understand what their life could be.”
Just ask a pair of brothers about their recent trip to Drumheller, Alberta. While the boys were nervous about leaving the comfort and familiarity of their home in rural Saskatchewan, their apprehension quickly turned to awe when they first saw “Tyra” the world’s largest dinosaur, peering down at them from above.
Nine-year-old Nathan* and six-year-old Chance recently embarked on a four-day adventure to Drumheller with their foster parents, Charlee and Braden. For the boys, who previously only managed short overnight trips due to anxiety and the challenges of autism, this was a major milestone.
With the loving support and nurturing care of their foster parents, the boys were able to fully embrace the experience, spending four days exploring the town, swimming in pools, visiting the museum, and riding a train from Stettler to Big River, Alberta.
Nathan, who has been with Charlee and Braden for five years, and Chance, for the past two and a half, have built strong, trusting relationships with their foster family. This trip not only marked a breakthrough in their ability to cope with change but also deepened the connection they share with their caregivers.
“They really enjoyed it,” said Charlee McGuire. “I think more than anything, experiences like this help build trust and when you have that level of trust in people, the rest of the world doesn’t seem so scary.”
Six-year-old Sawyer also took a break from his quiet prairie life this summer to explore the metropolis of Toronto and Buffalo, and to experience a true sense of belonging at a state-side family reunion.
Sawyer boarded a flight and had his passport stamped for the first time as he joined his foster mom Melanie and dad Simon for a family vacation. While the sights of colossal landmarks, like the CN Tower and Niagara Falls, brought amazement, it was the gathering of his extended foster family – cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles – that brought wonder.
“Last summer, a bunch of my family came to visit us in Saskatchewan, and he just had so much fun with them, I really didn’t want him to miss out on the opportunity to go to Buffalo for the reunion,” explained Melanie Webster. “We’ve noticed that since being on this trip, he’s started to feel a stronger sense of belonging in our family.”
Just like in traditional families, foster families grow alongside the children in their care. As youth become older and more independent, that growth often means learning to step back, offering support not through hands-on involvement, but by cheering from the sidelines and celebrating their successes from a distance.
For one foster family in Prince Albert, this moment came when their 14-year-old foster son prepared for a two-week cadet camp in British Columbia. They shared the experience from the sidelines – sending him off with encouragement, staying in touch while he was away, and eagerly listening to his stories once he returned.
“I love seeing some of our kids getting these opportunities they may never otherwise have,” said Dianna. “It’s pretty heartwarming.”
*All children’s names have been changed to protect their identity
