By Katie Elefsiniotis

For almost 20 years, Christine Peterson has been opening her doors to local families by providing care for children in their time of need.

Living and working in the Richmond community since the 1970s, she began informally supporting families by taking children away on camps and organising weekends in the country.

‘I found those parents who had a weekend off found it much easier to cope with the day-to-day strains of parenting,’ said Christine.

At that time, the alternative for parents experiencing crisis or lack of support was to have children placed in residential care units, far away from their homes and families.

‘Residential staff are great but kids want to be in a family so they are treated better at school and, generally, less stigmatised.’

It’s no surprise that in 1983, when plans for a community-based foster care agency were made, Christine was at the first local meeting.

‘I was really keen to be involved and support a new program.’

At the time, Christine was supporting a local mother with the care of her young daughter.

The girl became one of the first placement of Share Care—the new foster care agency.

Since then, Christine has continued to provide temporary, short and long-term care for local children and is Share Care’s longest serving foster parent.

‘Once, in a crisis, I had four or five kids here and their mother,’ Christine said.

Christine maintains close relationships with the children after they leave her care.

‘I always hope to be involved with the families and see how they are getting on, so I try to keep in touch.’

One girl Christine cared for until she was eight is now turning 14.

Although she lives elsewhere, she and Christine will go out on her birthday weekend.

Another asked Christine’s husband, J.P., to walk by her side down the aisle on her wedding day.

• Share Care is a community-based foster care program in the City of Yarra. For more information on Share Care phone 9417 1288, fax 9416 2962 or email sharecare@mail.eisa.net.au.