Help Support The Manitoba Foster Parent Association

Jamie Pfau is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

WHO WE ARE:

The Manitoba Foster Parent Association (MFPA) has been recently formed to advocate for positive outcomes for children and youth in care.

All of the members of MFPA are volunteers. We are passionately participating in this advocacy effort for the children we help to raise.

WHY WE ARE ADVOCATING:

Manitoba's child welfare system is in crisis.

Here are just a few statistics to shine light on the reality:

Manitoba has one of the highest rates of children in care in the world
Manitoba's children in care expect to face at least one placement breakdown every year (meaning they move from one foster home to the next)
More than 50% of Winnipeg's homeless population are former (and current) children in care, with an average of 12 placement breakdowns
Many foster homes are not properly licensed in Manitoba, leaving children at risk
Many child welfare professionals are not licensed social workers, leaving children at risk

Despite these statistics, and the clear need for support, Manitoba's foster parents are the least supported in the country.

We receive an average of $27/day for basic maintenance rates
This is meant to cover the entire cost of raising a child including: clothing, food, housing/utilities, bedding, furniture, transportation, sports and recreation, school fees and supplies, vacations/travel, allowance, and replacement costs of damaged items
This rate has not increased from 2012
Every other province/territory in the country has increased their rates since 2012
The average basic maintenance rate in the country is $46/day
This is also in line with a recent Statistics Canada report indicating parents spend $46/day to raise a child 0-17

Manitoba's foster parents have been unsupported for so long, many are quitting. A recent survey of 130 foster parents in Manitoba found:

More than 40% of foster parents had to downsize their homes
60% of foster parents know someone who closed their home
55% of foster parents will not be able to continue if the financial support does not increase
80% of foster parents do not feel valued or appreciated

WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR:

We have officially registered as a group at the Company's Office in November, 2023
We have began a social media group with over 400 members since November, 2023
We have met with the Minister of Families, Nahanni Fontaine and Families staff to discuss the dire situation foster parents are experiencing
We have met with the interim Liberal Leader, Cindy Lamoureux and her staff on multiple occasions to shine light on the realities of child welfare
We have been in the media more than 10 times in 2024 representing MFPA to promote positive outcomes for children and youth in care
We have attended the Manitoba Legislature as a group to continue to advocate
We have formed a Board of Directors, including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
We have formed multiple Committees with Appointed Leads, including the Diversity Committee (focused on First Nation and Métis foster parents, and Remote/Northern foster parents); the Youth Advisory Committee (focused on having youth represent their voices/experiences); Social Media/Website Committee (focused on developing media to help with knowledge translation); and a Fundraising Committee (focused on maintaining funds to continue to cover the costs of the MFPA)
Created a new bank account for incoming funds
We developed a website, complete with e-mail address
Visit us here

WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THE FUNDS:

To cover the costs of becoming a licensed non-profit (lawyer fees and registration costs of $2,000)
To cover the costs of our new website/e-mail (approximately $400, with an annual fee of $100)
To cover the costs of our first fundraising event ($500 to go towards covering licensing and hall rental)

Donations

Jamie Pfau

Organizer

Winnipeg, MB