AIPAR (Associação de Proteção à Rapariga e à Família) held a Foster Families Gathering on Sunday 11 October at Quinta do Meloal, the organisation's farm in the parish of Conceição de Faro. The day had two aims: to celebrate the certification of AIPAR's twentieth foster family, and to give families the chance to meet and share experiences with one another. More families are currently going through the certification process.


"We're deeply grateful to the twenty wonderful families who have joined AIPAR and taken on the role of foster carers. I want them to know they will never be alone. Our team is with them every step of the way, and from now on they have each other too," said Dr Filomena Rosa, Chair of AIPAR's Board.


The morning began with a laughter yoga session, followed by brunch prepared by AIPAR's own catering service. While the adults talked, the children took part in outdoor activities with a team from the charity. Before heading home, each family received a certificate and a small bag of loofahs, the natural sponges grown and dried on AIPAR's farm.


"Every family has the support of our team, but there are things only another foster family can truly understand. We need to create moments like this," she added.


AIPAR aims to certify as many families as possible, because each one has its own circumstances. Many families with children of their own prefer to foster a child of a particular age or gender, to make life at home easier, while others are ready to take in siblings or older children. The more families there are, the more situations AIPAR can respond to, and the easier it becomes to find the right family for each child.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: SandyBlue;

Foster care in Portugal (acolhimento familiar) is a temporary protection measure that allows children and young people who have been removed from their birth families to grow up in a family home, not an institution. According to the CASA 2024 report, of the 6,349 children and young people in care in Portugal, 361 were living with foster families, around 6% of the total. Most still live in residential care homes.


Since November 2022, AIPAR has been an approved foster care agency under a cooperation agreement with Portugal's Social Security Institute (Instituto da Segurança Social). Any individual or couple over the age of 25 who lives in Portugal can apply. Foster families receive training, ongoing support from a dedicated team and a monthly allowance.


About AIPAR

Founded in 1932 and registered as a private social solidarity institution (IPSS) since 1988, AIPAR is based in Faro. It works to protect children, young people and families through foster care, a residential care home, a family support and parenting centre (CAFAP), a supported independent living flat for young people, a day centre for adults with disabilities (CACI) and a community canteen.


Contact

protecao.acolhimentofamiliar@gmail.com | +351 966 683 137 | www.protecaoarapariga.pt


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