Filling a gap in care

A Better Life For Foster Kids
Persistent. Resilient. Devoted

Heather Baird has started a charity to provide clothes and a better life for thousands of children who have been placed in out of home care.

Heather grew up in foster homes and remembers being teased at school for being a “homie” because she stood out with her old clothing.

She founded A Better Life for Foster Kids in 2014 to support the current generation of children in care. Most arrive at their placement with only the clothes they are wearing.

Her charity gives the children an age-appropriate crisis case containing 55 items. These include clothing, toiletries, a blanket, activities and baby supplies if needed. Heather also provides furniture, prams and bedding to carers.

So far, the charity has gifted cases to more than1500 children in care in Victoria.

Heather’s work relieves the financial burden on carers and allows them to focus on the children’s emotional needs.

One of Heather’s greatest rewards is hearing from carers that the charity’s support has enabled them to continue looking after vulnerable children.

Heather says it is wonderful to be nominated as a Westfield Local Hero. “Our organisation is the community coming together to say that these kids deserve more than the poor outcomes they are currently facing,” she says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. A Better Life for Foster Kids will use its funds to provide crisis cases to 130 children entering out of home placements.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here