The Heart of Fostering Children: 80 Lives Transformed

In this fostering children-themed episode, Corey sits down with Irina Castellano, a dedicated foster parent who has fostered over 80 children throughout her life. Born an expat child and having lived in various countries, Irina brings a wealth of personal experiences and perspectives into her foster journey. This episode dives into her motivations, the challenges, and the rewards of fostering, and how it has shaped her family.

Bullet Points:

• Irina's Awakening:
• Introduced to fostering at age 15 after reading “A Child Called It” by Dave Pelzer.
• Realized the pressing need for foster homes upon learning kids sometimes stay in motel rooms.
• Challenges in Australia:
• Numbers of kids in care remain roughly constant (45-47k, with 17-19k in New South Wales).
• Greater need for homes as even young children aren’t getting placed.
• Screening Process:
• Detailed and rigorous, examining candidates' upbringing and personal histories.
• Aims to ensure the right people are chosen.
• Personal Experience:
• Irina’s personal journey from being an expat child to fostering.
• She and her husband have adopted two children (one overseas and one locally) and have a biological son.
• Their children have grown up around fostering, teaching them compassion and open-mindedness.
• Adoption in Australia:
• Requirements for adoption include citizenship and age limits, which Irina suggests should be revisited.
• Irina's Future:
• Plans to retire in Australia, though it may be influenced by where their kids end up.
• Closing Remarks:
• Acknowledgement of others in the foster community, especially those caring for children with special needs.

Contact Irina

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