In Australia, thousands of children need a safe, loving home—but what does it take to answer that call?
With two biological sons and three sons welcomed through Out-of-Home Care, Mary has experienced the joys and challenges of foster care firsthand. Through her work with Fostering Hope in Tasmania, she’s helping other carers embrace this life-changing journey, one child and family at a time.
Mary shares her wisdom and experiences, offering valuable insights into the realities of foster care—and how faith can guide the way.
How it began: Looking for local mission
Mary’s journey into foster care began with a desire to serve. “I had always thought my life would involve overseas mission or development work,” she reflects. “But after having our two sons, it wasn’t the right stage of life. I wanted a local mission, something that fit into my life as a parent. Foster care seemed like a natural choice.”
What started as a way to live out her faith became something much bigger. “Fostering has transformed my life,” Mary says.
While she initially envisioned short-term placements followed by reunification with birth families, her story unfolded differently. Today, she is the long-term carer for three boys. Two joined her as newborns, straight from the hospital and she is the legal guardian of her oldest son.
Rethinking Foster Care: Giving your family, not growing it
One lesson Mary emphasizes is the mindset required for foster care. “Foster care is about being a family for a child who needs one, not about growing your family,” she explains.
This distinction changes everything. It’s about stepping into the gap for a child, for however long they need. It also means embracing the child’s birth family, acknowledging the brokenness that brought them into care, and offering grace.
“It’s an opportunity to show God’s love in a tangible way—not just to the child but to their family, the community, and even the care system itself,” she shares.
The Hardest and Best Parts of Fostering
Like any significant calling, foster care is a mix of incredible rewards and deep challenges.
One of the toughest aspects for many carers is working within a complex and often frustrating system. “It’s messy and hard,” Mary admits. “The system is broken because it’s built around brokenness. It’s never God’s design for a child to be removed from their family.” Yet, Mary encourages carers to approach this with grace and resilience. Prayer, advocacy, and a supportive community can make all the difference.
Another challenge? The emotional toll of trauma-informed parenting. “Love isn’t enough,” Mary cautions. You need understanding, patience, a willingness to learn and alignment if you’re parenting as a couple.
Despite the challenges, Mary finds immense joy in fostering. “It’s a privilege to be a safe person for my boys,” she says. “Watching them grow, seeing their resilience, and knowing they’ll always have a place to call home—it’s incredible.”
Fostering has also shaped her biological children in profound ways. “They’ve developed empathy and compassion beyond their years. It’s not always easy, but they wouldn’t trade their brothers for anything,” Mary shares.
Building a support system: Why you can’t do it alone
One of Mary’s strongest messages to prospective carers is the importance of support. “You need your team from the very beginning—prayer partners, friends who ‘get it,’ and people who can provide practical help like meals or respite care,” she advises.
This support isn’t just for foster carers. Mary highlights the need for the church and community to recognize kinship carers (extended family members caring for children) and informal carers (such as grandparents stepping in). These often-overlooked caregivers need encouragement, emotional support, and practical help to sustain their efforts.
Rethinking outcomes: What does ‘success’ look like?
The idea of outcomes in foster care can be a tricky thing and can’t really be measured in a typical way, Mary explains. “These kids start with a cup full of trauma, which doesn’t take much to overflow. Success isn’t about creating perfect, well-adjusted adults in the current moment, but about shining God’s light on that child for however long you can and trusting God with the rest.”
She shares the story of a family whose outcomes might seem ‘unimpressive’ on paper, “but they still celebrate Christmas together, they go on family holidays, and they still call their foster mum for a chat. That connection is huge—it matters.”
A call to the church: We can be the solution
Mary believes the church has an incredible opportunity to transform the Out-of-Home Care space. “If every church supported just a few foster families, we could find homes for every child who needs one,” she says. “Imagine how that would change the perception of Christians in Australia.”
This call isn’t just about fostering—it’s about showing love in action. “Opening your doors, supporting carers, and shining God’s light—it’s amazing the doors it opens, even with neighbours and schools. You don’t even have to say anything; your actions speak louder than words.”
Foster care is not easy, but it is deeply rewarding. Mary’s story reminds us that stepping into spaces of brokenness, guided by faith, can create ripples of transformation.
Mary’s conviction is clear, “I honestly believe foster care is one of the greatest opportunities to show God’s love in Australia”.
Mary is the Executive Officer of Fostering Hope, a Tasmanian-based organisation that exists to reflect Christ’s love by supporting at-risk children and those who care for them. They do this by raising awareness, recruiting new carers, and offering ongoing pastoral care and support to carers and their families.
If you are interested in exploring Foster Care further, Foster Care: First Steps is for you. This free resource will help you unpack a faith-based, holistic understanding of foster care and help you consider your readiness to pursue it.
The Homeward Project exists to partner with churches for holistic ministry in the Out-of-Home Care space in local communities. We provide a framework of resources and coaching for ongoing carer recruitment and support, with ways for every member of your church to play a part. We’d love to partner with your church. Find out more via the link below or get in touch at hello@homewardproject.org
