BC Lions football club is hosting foster families during their home game tonight at BC Place Stadium in honour of the selfless work they do with vulnerable children and youth.

Since 2006 the Lions have teamed up with the B.C. government to provide this special opportunity for foster families who might not otherwise get to attend a football game. Through the BC Lions Courage for Kids program the team gives out free tickets, and invites the families to come down to the field to watch the pre-game warm up. Then they will head for the stands to cheer on the home team as they take on the Ottawa RedBlacks.

October is Foster Family Month in British Columbia, a time to honour the more than 3,200 dedicated Foster Parents who share their hearts and homes with some 5,900 babies, children and youth in need of a safe, stable environment.

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

“The BC Lions commitment to children and Foster Families in B.C. shows how we can all go the extra yard to give back to these amazing people. I hope their continued generosity will inspire other organizations and businesses to find ways to support foster families during October, and year round.”

Jamie Taras, director of community relations, BC Lions Football Club -

"Our football team believes in pulling together - on the field and off. That means reaching out and taking action to make a real difference in the lives of people in our community and throughout the province. That’s what these special families do every day when they welcome children in need into their homes. We are pleased to welcome them to our home field to show how much we appreciate what they do.”

Quick Facts:

• Foster family homes are the primary placement resource for children taken into care for reasons of family emergency, death, conflict, abuse, neglect or conflict.
• B.C. has approximately 8,300 children and youth in its care. Of these, over 5,900 are placed with approximately 3,200 foster families throughout the province.
• 32% of children in care who are adopted in B.C. are adopted by their foster family.
• The Ministry of Children and Family Development and its partner agencies - the BC Federation of Foster Parents Associations, and the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents - recruit, train and support Foster parents.
• There is an ongoing need for caring and committed families of all cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds so that children in care can maintain their cultural and community connections.
• Foster parents must be in good physical and mental health. They receive training and undergo background, criminal record and reference checks. On average, the approval process takes three months.
• New foster parents sign an agreement outlining their responsibilities and complete the 53-hour B.C. Foster Care Education Program within two years.

Learn More:

For more on Foster Family Month, visit: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster/ffm.htm

Interested in fostering? Visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster or call the toll-free Foster Line at 1 800 663-9999.

For more information on the BC Lions Football Club, visit: http://www.bclions.com/

Media Contacts:

Sheldon Johnson
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639
250 213-5811 (cell)

Jamie Taras
Director of Communications
BC Lions Football Club
604 930-5469
778 558-0761 (cell)