As a thank you: the district invites foster families to the maize maze

For two years it could not be celebrated because of the Corona pandemic, now it was finally time again: The summer party for foster families took place again, this time in the Basdorf corn maze. Under rather overcast skies, but in a cheerful mood, 28 foster families spent a few happy hours on the grounds high above Lake Eder. The invitation was extended by the Youth Service of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district, which was also responsible for the organisation. The festival was financially supported by the Schäfer and Höhle families, who own the maize maze, and by the Klärschlammverwertungsgesellschaft mbH.

In addition to the maze itself, the maize maze had a wide range of activities in store for small and big foster children, the best prerequisites for a lively and happy day. Whether it was the maize swimming pool, the adventure playground or the giant trampoline, everyone had a lot of fun and generously overlooked the one or other rain shower. The foster parents had enough time to exchange experiences and network not only with each other but also with the professionals of the foster child service of the youth department.

The summer party for foster families also served to express a big thank you, as Andreas Strake, head of the district's youth service, emphasised in his address to the foster families. "Every foster family gives their foster children a safe anchorage for a while and thus a place where they gain security and support after an often difficult swell in their lives." At this anchorage, the children feel secure, it offers them protection in stormy times. There they could rest and find new strength as well as themselves, plan their journey into the world of growing up and get all the things they needed for their journey.

The need for foster families is increasing due to social change and the increase in multiple problems of families. Under the motto "Giving children an anchor place", the foster child service is therefore advertising for new foster families. If you are interested in taking in a foster child in your family, you can get more information from the head of the foster child service, Ms Carmen Debus-Nordmann, Tel. 06451 743-780, e-mail carmen.debus-nordmann@lkwafkb.de.

Background

Since 2021, the foster child service in the youth department of the Waldeck-Frankenberg district has been rebuilt in terms of concept and personnel. The aim is to ensure reliable support for the 114 foster families currently in the district. Already 133 children from babies to young adults have been able to find a home through the placement of the specialised service.

Foster families make an essential contribution to society, as they give children a temporary home - far away from three-shift educational services within an institution. Especially through the casualness of everyday life together in a foster family, children experience normality and continuity.

Placement in a foster family offers the children a stable family framework so that they can develop well and become contributing members of our society, which is a particular challenge due to the sometimes difficult life histories.