Instant Family film night gets community talking about foster care

OUR film night at the Oatmill Cinema on Wednesday, February 13, attracted close to 100 people to engage in an emotional and engaging event focused on the family comedy Instant Family and how the story translates to the local foster care situation.

Starring Rose Byrne and Mark Wahlberg and based on the true story of an American couple welcoming three siblings into their home as foster children, the film provided an ideal opportunity to highlight achievements of our agency and its team of foster carers, as well as the need to attract more people to provide family based care for at-risk children.

The night inspired conversations about foster care, with an opening address by ac.care spokesperson Dani Atkinson, followed by a question and answer session after the movie with Mount Gambier foster carer Nicole.

Other foster carers from the Limestone Coast were also invited to be part of the evening, reflecting on their own journeys as they watched the challenges, emotions and humour of the US couple and enjoying a night out provided by ac.care.

Meanwhile, members of the public had the opportunity to speak to ac.care staff and our assessment team to find out more about foster care.

The message more carers are needed was carried beyond the event with Limestone Coast media, including The Border Watch, ABC South East and Triple M AM radio running stories in partnership with ac.care about foster care in the lead-up to the film night.

Generous sponsors DiGiorgio Family Wines, She’s Apples and Bakers Delight ensured there were plenty of refreshments for the audience, donating all food and wine, while other local businesses assisted with ticket sales.

Leftover scones from Bakers Delight were even delivered to our community centre after the event to be distributed to clients in our homelessness and other community programs.

Our partnership with the Oatmill Cinema and local supporters not only helped highlight the contribution foster carers make in our regions and spread the message more families are needed to help in the Limestone Coast, but also allowed ac.care to raise $500 for its ongoing work in the community.

“Thank you to everyone who worked with ac.care to make the night a success and help raise awareness of the vital need for more foster care families in the regions in which we operate to meet the needs of at-risk children in need of a safe and stable home,” ac.care chief executive officer Shane Maddocks said.

If you are interested in finding out more about foster care in the Limestone Coast, Riverland, Murraylands, Adelaide Hills or Fleurieu email care@accare.org.au or call ac.care’s head office on 08 8724 5400.

Click Here to find more information about foster care with ac.care.