All in the foster fa WHY WCULD anyone want to become a foster parent? It’s a question Barbara Kinniburgh hears all the time, and one she has answered positively an astounding 35 times. That’s right. She and her hus- band Bob have taken on 35 (!) foster children ia the past seven years, from babies suffering drug exposure to teenagers with emo- tional and physical problems, in addition to caring for four teenagers of their own. She admits it’s been frustrating at times, but Kinniburgh says she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Sure, these kids have got By Evelyn Jacob News Reporter problems, but they’re not inher- ently bad. Some were kicked out of their homes because they had blue hair,’ says the Pemberton Heights resident, who is currently the foster parent of two teddlers, both of whom suffer from fetal NEWS photo Mike Wakefield THINKING ABOUT kecoming a foster parent? Talk to Barbara Kinniburgh. She and her husband Bob have opened their home to more than 30 chilcren since 1985, Heritage excursion THE NORTH Shore Neighbourhood House CNSNH) is offering a day trip for seniors to the Native Heritage Centre on Vancouver Istand. Participants will have an oppor- tunity to learn about the culure and habitat of the native people of Canada, and will be able to try some traditional cuisine at a native dulfet luncheon. The tip will include a visit to the Cowichan Valley. Participants will be able to view a world famous mural painting in the quaint litle town of Chamainus. The trip will be held on Thurs- day, June 15 from 8 a.m, to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $34 and does nut include admission io the centre or the price of luach, Participants are asked to bring their gold cards (o ensure free ferry service. For move NSNH, 225 Ease Vancouver, or call information visit 2nd Si. in North 987-S138, alcohol syndrome. “What they need is parenting and a_ structured environment. Most of the kids we’ve dealt with have no extended family to offer them that.’’ Lining the Kinniburgh’s dining room bureau are dozens of photos of “their children.’’ Like a proud mother, Barbara Kinniburgh shows off a portrait of Allison, a beaming infant in a eute white frilly dress who the Kinniburghs wanted to adopt but had to return to the child’s natu- ral parents. She says it can be heartbreaking to give up a child one has grown attached to, but it’s one of the conditions foster parents agree to. Who is a typical foster parent? When Kinniburgh intially became involved, she assumed it was peo- ple like her and Bob — the stable two-parent family. But she discovered that two parents don’t always provide the right environ- ment. “Foster parents are not always the perfect, stable couple. For ex- ample, girls who have been sex- ually abused generally do better with just one female parent. ”’ It’s not who the parent is then, but his or her ability to provide for and protect a child that’s im- portant. In Kinniburgh’s mind, one of the most essential things a foster parent can do is become an ad- vocate for a child, and they must receive proper training to do it well. After all, it is the foster parent, and not the government or the courts, who goes to bat for a child and provides for his emotional and physical well-being. “The bottom fine is, love isn’t enough. You have to work with children, and to do that, you must be properly trained. That’s not to say you have to be an expert. You just tearn to deal with it, and you don’t give up.’’ Today Kinniburgh is the direc- tor of education on the provincial board of the 3.C. Federation of Foster Parent Associations, 2 reg- istered society representing 2,147 foster parents across the province. Since assuming the position one of her priorities has been fighting for changes to B.C.’s Family and Child Services Act, which she calls ‘tabysmal’’ and ‘‘antiquated.”’ The act, she says, limits the Ministry of Social Services and Housing’s power to protect children. “The ministry must have a bet- ter tool to help children. They get a bad rap, ana are seen as the bad guys all the time. But they’ve got- ten children out of some pretty bad situations.”* ¥o make matters worse, our educational system is ill-equipped tc deal with foster children who have been through family crises. ly NAME: Barbara NAME: Barbara Kinsibergh BORN: Vagccaver EDUCATION: Nosth Vascouver High Sthoot grad OCCUPATION: Volusteer on the Provincizi board of tke B.C. Fed- eration of Foster Parezts Assoria- FAMILY: Six children, two foster children: toctediog “These children are beautiful rnow,”’ she says of her two infants playing in another room, “‘but their prognosis down the road is not great. What happens when they enter school? They have a lot of edacationai disabilities, and the school system has done a very poor job of addressing the prob- jem.”’ While it’s tempting to consider Kinniburzh something of a saint, she says it all comes down to a simple philosophy she learned from her own raoiher, who left her physically abusive, alcoholic husband and raised her children as a@ singte parent: if you do for others, it will come back to you. And it has. Last month Kin- niburgh was nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for her community work. She received the nominatioa for her tireless efforts in saving the child daycare program at Capilano elementary school. Barbara Kinniburgh: In her own words What dco your own kids think about having foster brothers and sisters? ‘‘They’ve been tolerant, but to a point. When someone is wrecking your toys, it’s difficult. On the other hand, I know they'll be heartbroken when the littie ones we have now go.”” How would you sum up yuur siruggie to get a daycare facility instalied in your community? ‘‘! always said I’d write a pamphlet on how to access district hall without going insane. ‘Actually it was a very positive experience Vd do the same thing again if [| had to. The only sad thing is the church | belonged to for 40 years, the Capilano United Church, as much as forced SUMMER SCHOOL AT SYLVAN When you want them to play this summer... and pass next fall. Sylvan provides the individual attention that makes a dif- ference In our positive stress-free environment students become excited about learning, 20 hours of summer instruction for the price of 16. Fiexibte schedule, morning or afternoon classes. : « Math / Algebra ® Writing ® Reading Club» ¢ Study Skills a Young Readers Just @ couple of hours a week this sum- mer of Sylvan Learning Centre is enough fo helo your child do better tnis tall, is Syivan Learning Centre ceeneteEns Helping kids be their best NORTH SHORE 985-6844 me off the board when a few members on the board felt that 1 was in conflict with the church daycare. They wanted me to cease voting on any matters regarding the daycare in the church. “I was disappointed, because I didn’t feel any support from the church while I was fighting for the daycare. And it’s important te have that support, because the church is part of the community. . Discover... Cy LEVOLOR WINDS! '/ 7,1: 18a CONTOUR nhkes Best Blinds! CONTOUR Blinds of cl kinds, to suit ul budgets “Persecution is the best word for how they treated me, and it continues to this day. And I know they've treated others that way Loo. I's really sad.’” How have your dealings bees with the Ministry of Social Services and Housing? “1’'m constantly fighting with them, but that’s good. You have to be accountable.” CUuUSTSoM Mini SLINBS Book your appointment before June 27th and SAVE 55% off our beautiful selection of custom 1” Mini Blinds from our brand New WINDOWWEAR™ collection. WiNDG')/7,1: 38 > Exclusively at Contour j > LIFETIME WARRANTY & SHOP-RT-HOIME SERVE, CALL TODAY! wee ene end 1226 Marine Drive, Nan. 984-3407