By YASEMIN TALAT
FRANCES and Tony Schembr’s family is like the modern day Brady Bunch.
The couple have been foster carers for over a decade and in that time have cared for almost 50 children.
Mr and Mrs Schembr have a son together, two permanent foster children, adult children from Mr Schembr’s previous marriage, grandchildren and also take care of other foster children.
“We’re the mixed modern family,” said Mrs Schembr.
Mrs Schembr said they had one big family, full of variety.
“It helped the children to know we were already a mixed family when we started fostering,” she said.
“All our family always love coming to meet the new children.”
Foster caring was something Mrs Schembr wanted to do to help children in need and also to teach her son about sharing and communicating with other children.
Mr and Mrs Schembr can never say ‘no’ to a child in need.
They are currently looking after five-year-old girl, who was diagnosed with cancer.
“She was diagnosed three months ago, and we came into her life two and a half months ago,” she said.
“We got a phone call stating they had a child who was very ill and do we think we can do it,” she said.
“Tears started to roll out of my eyes and I said ‘yep, I can do it’.”
Mrs Schembr quickly rang her husband to inform him and to no surprise, he too was ready to care for the young girl.
“I got on the telephone and rang my husband and he said that’s okay I’ve already had the phone call and I’ve said ‘yes’ too,” she said.
“We are on this journey and we are on it for, however long it needs.”
Mrs Schembr said foster caring had its ups and downs but she had made life-long friends through the journey and has two daughters and many other additions to her family because of it.
This week celebrates Foster Care Week (8-14 September). Foster carers are trained, provided with ongoing support and reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses related to caring for children.
For enquiries contact Anglicare Victoria on 1800 809 722 or (03) 9412 6133 or visit http://www.anglicarevic.org.au/foster-care
